Former State Minister's 'Mega Corruption' of the Covid-19 Govt Assistance

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in the latest in depth report from Tempo Magazine said the inactive Social Affairs Minister Juliari Batubara has funded his personal needs from corrupting funds initially allocated for Indonesia’s Covid-19 pandemic govt assistance (Bansos).

KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri on December 6 said one of which was allegedly used to rent personal flights aboard private jets, which according to Tempo’s investigation was used in his visits to Kendal in Central Java, Medan, Bali, and Malang which charges around Rp40 million per hour.

More surprisingly, the government funds were also allegedly distributed by Juliari Batubara to fund political campaigns of regional head candidates ahead of the simultaneou regional head elections (Pilkada).

Asked for clarification, Juliari’s lawyer Maqdir Ismail said that his client could not yet provide a response for the allegations. “I am sorry but I cannot answer that question yet since I have not communicated again with Juliari Batubara,” he said.

Apart from the former minister, KPK had named two state officials within the Social Affairs Ministry and two businessmen for alleged corruption regarding the funds for Indonesia’s government Covid-19 social assistance packages. The total amount Juliari Batubara allegedly received is up to Rp17 billion. 

Read more about this mega corruption case involving a state official in the latest edition of Tempo Magazine.

Also Read: Covid-19 Aid Graft; KPK to Explore Potential State Loss

M ROSSENO AJI