KPK questions Riau Islands governor on fire truck procurement graft case

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has questioned Riau Island Governor Ismet Abdullah about the fire truck procurement scandal that caused Rp 4.1 billion (US$3.4 million) in losses in 2003.

KPK's spokesperson Johan Budi said Thursday investigators had asked Ismet to answer questions on evidence implicating Oentarto Sindung Mawardi and Hengky Samuel Daud.

“We questioned him about why he issued an official memo directly appointing PT Sarana Istana Raya which Hengky owned, to provide fire trucks in some regencies,” he told tempointeraktif.com.

Leaving KPK offices, Ismet declined to elaborate on what he had just told investigators, but said he had never met with Hengky.

Former regional autonomy officials at the Home Ministry Oentarto and Hengky are suspects in the case which revolves around a memo circulated by then minister Hari Sabarno.

Thanks to the minister's memorandum, Sarana Istana Raya became the sole provider of a specific portion of the entire fire truck procurement project, forcing several regents and governors to purchase the engines only from his company.

KPK later found out that memo was a key obstacle to regional authorities following proper tender procedures.

Hengky remains at large. (ewd)