https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/indonesia-minister-turns-covid-19-aid-graft-74564963ndonesia’s anti-corruption commission formally detained the country’s social affairs minister after he surrendered to authorities Sunday to face charges of taking bribes related to the government’s COVID-19 aid distribution.
Social Affairs Minister Juliari Batubara turned himself in to the Corruption Eradication Commission hours after the commission’s chairman, Firli Bahuri, called on him to surrender at a news conference at around midnight Saturday.
Batubara, who is also a member of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, made no comment when arriving at the commission’s headquarters in the capital, Jakarta.
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 70 cents for each package of basic food distributed to the poor for Batubara’s benefit.
