JAKARTA: Indonesia鈥檚 social affairs minister was arrested Sunday for allegedly taking $1.2 million in bribes linked to food aid for those hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
Juliari Batubara was named as a suspect after Indonesian anti-corruption agents seized suitcases, backpacks and envelopes stuffed with cash equivalent to $1.2 million in a sting operation on Saturday.
He turned himself in on Sunday at the anti-corruption agency鈥檚 headquarters, becoming the second minister in President Joko Widodo鈥檚 government to be arrested over alleged graft in recent weeks.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 the people鈥檚 money... it鈥檚 aid urgently needed to help during Covid-19 and for the national economic recovery,鈥� Widodo said after Batubara鈥檚 arrest, vowing he would not protect any corrupt officials.
Indonesia鈥檚 economy 鈥� Southeast Asia鈥檚 biggest 鈥� has been hit hard by the pandemic, and the government has rolled out aid programs such as food packages to help those in need.
Batubara has been accused of involvement in a bribery scheme linked to one such aid project.
Officials have alleged that he received more than $1 million from two contractors that were appointed to supply basic food packages for people affected by the pandemic.
For each package, Batubara would receive 10,000 rupiah, or $0.71, officials alleged.
If found guilty, he could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of one billion rupiah ($70,000).