Ex-Indonesian minister jailed for 12 years over Covid-19 graft scandal

JAKARTA, Aug 23 - Former Indonesian social affairs minister Juliari Batubara has been sentenced to 12 years in prison over a Covid-19 graft scandal, the Jakarta Corruption Court ruled on Monday (Aug 23).

The court said the former politician had received bribes in relation to the procurement of goods intended for Covid-19 social assistance packages.

The politician was also fined 500 million rupiah ($47,000), ordered to pay back the embezzled funds, and will be banned from public office for four years after serving his prison term.

ALSO READ: Indonesia names second cabinet minister as suspect in million-dollar graft case