JAKARTA: Indonesia’s social affairs minister turned himself in to anti-corruption authorities Sunday to face charges of taking bribes related to the government’s coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) aid distribution.
suspects as Chairman of Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission Firli Bahuri (top center) looks on during a news conference on a corruption case involving government’s Covid-19 pandemic aid distribution in Jakarta, Indonesia on Sunday, December 6, 2020. AP PHOTO
Social Affairs Minister Juliari Batubara arrived at the Corruption Eradication Commission’s headquarters in the capital, Jakarta, hours after the commission’s Chairman Firli Bahuri called on him to surrender in a news conference just before midnight Saturday.
Batubara, who is also a member of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, made no comment.
The anti-corruption commission, known by its acronym KPK, said Batubara is accused of receiving at least 17 billion rupiah ($1.2 million) from two supplier companies through his two subordinates, who were also named as suspects.
Bahuri said the suppliers were asked to set aside $0.7 for each package of basic food distributed to the poor for Batubara’s benefit.
He said Batubara could face up to life in prison if found guilty of stealing public money.
“We will not stop here. We will closely watch how the government’s social assistance is being procured and channeled during the Covid-19 pandemic,” Bahuri said.
He’s the second Cabinet member arrested for graft in less than two weeks. Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Edhy Prabowo, who has since resigned, was also arrested on suspicion of taking bribes in connection with exports of lobster larvae, and allegedly used the money for a luxury shopping spree in the United States.