Kaban denies receiving Rp 17.6 billion from Masaro

Former forestry minister Malam Sambat Kaban has denied receiving Rp 17.6 billion (US$1.8 million) in bribes from communication company PT Masaro Radiokom.

“Please, do not incriminate M.S. Kaban. I have never seen nor received Rp 17.6 billion. I invite the Financial Transaction Report Analysis Center [PPATK] to investigate the alleged flow of funds to me, if it has to,” Kaban told kompas.com in Jakarta on Friday.

Kaban’s alleged involvement in the case was made public recently by National Police chief Gen. Bambang Hendriarso in a hearing with the House of Representatives’ Commission III on legal affairs on Thursday night.

Bambang referred to Kaban when he was describing the police’s investigation into the abuse of power and graft allegations implicating Bibit Samad Rianto and Chandra Hamzah, two suspended deputies of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Chairman of the presidential fact-finding team Adnan Buyung Nasution also mentioned Kaban after the team sought an explanation of the wiretapped conversation between businessman Anggodo and investigators from the police and the Attorney General’s Office from the police chief.

Bambang explained the graft charges against Bibit and Chandra stemmed from the bribing of a person identified as MK at the Forestry Ministry.