17-5-2023 (Jakarta) Indonesian authorities made a significant move on Wednesday (May 17) as they arrested a senior cabinet minister on corruption charges, accusing him of causing over half a billion dollars in state losses.
Johnny G Plate, the latest addition to the growing list of ministers in President Joko Widodo’s administrations to face corruption charges, was apprehended by the Attorney General’s Office (AGO). Notably, the social affairs and fisheries ministers were previously convicted of graft in 2021.
The AGO stated that Johnny’s arrest was related to his alleged involvement in the procurement process of equipment required for the construction of numerous communication towers. In 2020, the ministry had claimed that these towers would provide internet access to thousands of villages.
While specific details regarding Johnny’s role were not disclosed, AGO official Kuntadi explained that he was arrested both as a user of the budget and as a minister.
Ketut Sumedana, another official, revealed that the minister was accused of violating Indonesia’s corruption law, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
As of now, no immediate comments were available from the minister’s legal representative.
The alleged corruption scandal has inflicted losses of around 8 trillion rupiah (US$544 million) on the state, according to the AGO.
Transparency International, the global corruption watchdog, reported that Indonesia’s corruption perception index dropped by four points last year, placing the country at 110 out of 180 countries.
