Juliari Peter Batubara (born 22 July 1972) is an Indonesian politician, who served as Minister of Social Affairs in the 41st Cabinet of Indonesia from 23 October 2019 until his arrest in December 2020 for alleged corruption.[1][2] He is a member of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

Juliari Batubara
30th Minister of Social Affairs
In office
23 October 2019 – 6 December 2020
PresidentJoko Widodo
Vice PresidentMa'ruf Amin
Preceded byAgus Gumiwang Kartasasmita
Succeeded byTri Rismaharini
Personal details
Born
Juliari Peter Batubara

(1972-07-22) 22 July 1972 (age 52)
Jakarta, Indonesia
Political partyPDI-P
SpouseGrace Batubara
Residence(s)Jakarta, Indonesia

Education and business career

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  • SD St Franciscus ASISI Tebet Jakarta, 1979–1985[3]
  • SMP St Franciscus ASISI Tebet Jakarta, 1985–1988[4]
  • SMAN 8 Tebet Jakarta, 1988–1991
  • Riverside City College, United States, 1991–1995
  • Business Administration degree with minor in Finance, Chapman University, United States, 1995–1997[5]

Business career

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  • President commissioner of PT Tridaya Mandiri, 2005.
  • President director of PT Bwana Energy, 2004.
  • President director of PT Arlinto Perkasa Buana, 2003.
  • President director of PT Wiraswasta Gemilang Indonesia, 2003–2012.
  • Commercial Division of PT Wiraswasta Gemilang Indonesia, 2002–2003.
  • Marketing Supervisor of PT Wiraswasta Gemilang Indonesia, 1998–2002.[5]

Political career

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Before entering politics, Juliari's business career involved companies such as PT Wiraswasta Gemilang Indonesia, PT Arlinto Perkasa Buana, PT Bwana Energy, and PT Tridaya Mandiri.

In 2014, he became a member of the People's Representative Council, representing Central Java for the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle. He joined the national parliament's Commission VI, which handles trade, industrial, investment and business affairs.[6]

In October 2019, he was appointed Minister of Social Affairs by Indonesian President Joko Widodo.[1] In December 2020, Widodo appointed Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy as acting social affairs minister, following Juliari's arrest for alleged corruption.[7]

Corruption case

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On 6 December 2020, Juliari was arrested in Jakarta for allegedly receiving bribes from suppliers of social assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) alleged that Juliari received up to IDR 17 billion in bribes.[8] Later investigation revealred that the exact amount of bribes was IDR 32,482 billion.[9] KPK chairman Firli Bahuri said Juliari is accused of receiving the bribes from two supplier companies via his two subordinates, Matheus Joko Santoso and Adi Wahyono, who were also named suspects.[10]

He said the suppliers had been asked to pay a commission fee of IDR 10,000, for Juliari, for each package of basic food worth IDR 300,000 distributed to the needy during economic hardships due to the pandemic crisis.[11][12] Due to the severity of his alleged crime, Juliari could face life imprisonment or the death penalty if convicted.[13]

On 23 August 2021 he was sentenced to 12 years of prison and fined IDR 500 million. He also had to pay IDR 14.5 billion in compensation and was barred from holding any government position for 4 years[14][15]

On 20 August 2023 Juliari alongside other criminals was granted reduced prison time in celebration of Indonesia Independence Day, the reduction that he got was 4 months.[16]

References

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  1. ^ a b "BREAKING: Jokowi announces his new Cabinet. Here's the line up". The Jakarta Post. 23 October 2019. Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Social Affairs Minister Visits KPK Office". TEMPO.CO. 4 November 2019. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  3. ^ "Profil Juliari P. Batubara Mensos Yang Jadi Tersangka Korupsi Bansos". Okezone (in Indonesian). 6 December 2020.
  4. ^ "Profil Mensos Juliari Batubara: Tersangka KPK Kasus Bansos Covid-19". Liputan6 (in Indonesian). 6 December 2020.
  5. ^ a b Media, Kompas Cyber (22 October 2019). "Juliari Batubara, Calon Menteri Pertama PDI-P yang Dipanggil Jokowi". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  6. ^ Yasmin, Puti. "Profil Juliari Batubara, Politisi PDIP yang Akan Masuk Kabinet Jokowi 2019". detiknews (in Indonesian). Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  7. ^ "Jokowi Appoints Muhadjir Effendy as Acting Social Affairs Minister". Tempo.co. 6 December 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  8. ^ Nufus, Wilda Hayatun. "Kasus Suap Bansos Corona, KPK Tahan Menteri Sosial Juliari Batubara". detiknews (in Indonesian). Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  9. ^ Andryanto, S. Dian (19 August 2023). "Koruptor Eks Mensos Juliari Batubara Dapat Remisi 4 Bulan, Begini Kasus Korupsi Bansos Covid-19". Tempo. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  10. ^ Fachriansyah, Rizki (6 December 2020). "Minister Juliari named suspect in COVID-19 aid graft case". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  11. ^ "KPK: Mensos Tahu Anak Buahnya Tunjuk Perusahaan Sendiri buat Vendor Bansos" (in Indonesian). detikcom. 6 December 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  12. ^ Karmini, Niniek (6 December 2020). "Indonesia's social minister named suspect in million-dollar bribery case". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  13. ^ "Jadi Tersangka Korupsi Bansos Corona, Mensos Juliari Bisa Terancam Hukuman Mati". www.kompas.tv (in Indonesian). Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  14. ^ Basri, Hedi (9 August 2021). "Sama-sama Korupsi Bansos: Juliari Dituntut 11 Tahun, Pendamping PKH di Malang Terancam 20 Tahun". KompasTV. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  15. ^ Andryanto, S. Dian (19 August 2023). "Koruptor Eks Mensos Juliari Batubara Dapat Remisi 4 Bulan, Begini Kasus Korupsi Bansos Covid-19". Tempo. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  16. ^ Indonesia, C. N. N. "Eks Menteri Juliari Batubara Raih Remisi 4 Bulan, Edhy Prabowo 3 Bulan". nasional (in Indonesian). Retrieved 22 August 2023.