Jakarta: Indonesia’s anti-graft agency on Sunday named Social Affairs Minister Juliari Batubara as a suspect in a million-dollar bribery case, along with four other people.
Juliari is the second Indonesian cabinet minister to be named a suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in recent few weeks.
Indonesian Presiden Joko Widodo (L) accompanied Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs Juliari Batubara (R) pay respect during attend the National Visitation at the Main National Heroes Cemetery in Kalibata, Jakarta, Indonesia last year. Credit:Getty Images
He and two other officials are suspected of accepting bribes in connection with the procurement of 5.9 trillion rupiah ($564 million) worth of goods to be distributed as COVID-19 social assistance packages, KPK head Firli Bahuri told a news briefing. The other two suspects are private citizens, Firli said.
Juliari was being questioned at KPK headquarters and will be taken into custody, said KPK spokesman Ali Fikri. The Social Affairs Ministry was not immediately available for comment.
