TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named Social Minister Juliari Batubara as a suspect in the case of the Covid-19 social aid program.

Juliari is suspected of receiving gifts or promises by state officials regarding the distribution of social assistance in Jabodetabek 2020.

"The KPK named five suspects. First as recipients, namely JPB, MJS and AW. Meanwhile, the givers are AIM and HS," said KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri during a virtual broadcast press conference, early Sunday, December 6, 2020.

The PDIP politician is suspected of having appointed MJS and AW as commitment-making officials (PPK) to carry out the social aid project.

"PJB as the social minister appointed MJS and AW as PPK in the project implementation by direct appointment of partners and it is suspected that it was agreed to determine a fee for each work package which must be deposited to the Ministry of Social Affairs through MJS," he explained.

Previously, the KPK conducted an operation to arrest suspected officials at the Ministry of Social Affairs on Saturday morning, December 5, 2020. Firli said the arrests were related to the Ministry of Social's social aid program.

The KPK suspects that the official received gifts from vendors providing goods and services in social assistance at the Ministry of Social Affairs for handling Covid-19.

Also Read: Social Affairs Official Arrested Over Alleged COVID-19 Aid Fund Misuse

LANI DIANA | M. ROSSENO AJI