Indonesian authorities on Wednesday (May 17) arrested a senior cabinet minister on corruption charges in a case they said caused more than half a billion dollars in state losses.
Johnny G Plate, the fifth minister in President Joko Widodo’s administration, faces charges of corruption. In 2021, both his social affairs and fisheries ministers imprisoned for graft.
The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) announced the arrest of Johnny G Plate for his involvement in the procurement of equipment required for constructing thousands of communication towers. In 2020, his ministry claimed that the project would provide internet access to numerous villages.
Johnny arrested “as a user of the budget and as a minister”. Said AGO official Kuntadi, without detailing the minister’s specific role.
Another official Ketut Sumedana said the minister allegedly violated Indonesia’s corruption law, which carries a maximum life sentence.
In response to the arrest, the communications ministry issued a statement affirming its commitment to abide by the legal process. Thus ensuring that the case does not hamper its public services.
Meanwhile, the office of President Jokowi, as he is known locally.
The alleged corruption cost about 8 trillion rupiah (US$544 million) in state losses, the AGO said.
According to global graft watchdog Transparency International, Indonesia dropped four points on its corruption perception index last year to 110 out of 180 countries.