Indonesia’s Social Affairs Minister Declared as Suspect on Covid-19 Social Aids Graft

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Durian. Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Dec.6 declared Social Affairs Minister Juliari Batubara with four others as suspects in a graft case related to covid-19 social aids which part of government stimulus to assist families that are affected by pandemic in Jakarta and surroundings.

The case was uncovered when KPK’s investigators caught-red-handed gratification transactions in several locations in Jakarta where six people were arrested on Dec.5.

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The distribution of social assistance, worth Rp 5.9 trillion ($404.5 million), in two period of times was through 277 contracts. Contractors were selected through direct biddings.

According to KPK from each social-aid package there was fee for government social affairs ministry’s officials which is Rp 10,000 or Rp 300,000.

Two others officials from the ministry Matheus Joko Santoso and Wan Guntar are among suspects.

Minister Batubara has reported himself to KPK office on Dec,6.

President Joko Widodo said the government will respect the ongoing legal process.

‘’It’s people money; moreover this is related with social aids in handling covid-19 and for national economy recovery…I will not protect those who were involved in corruption,’’the president said on Dec.6 from Bogor, West Java.

The Social Affairs Ministry on Dec.6 issued a statement ensuring the social aids program will continue distributed.

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