Riau Islands governor denies graft charges

JAKARTA: Suspended Riau Islands Governor Ismeth Abdullah told the Corruption Court on Monday he did not order a fire-truck procurement project that cost the state Rp 5.4 billion (almost US$600,000) in losses.

Ismeth denied allegations he had ordered the purchase of six fire trucks during his tenure as chief of the Batam Authority Body from 2004 to 2006.

Ismeth presented his defense plea at the Corruption Court. Prosecutors have sought a four-year prison sentence and fines of Rp 200 million (US$ 22,200) for the graft charges.

Ismeth was charged with collaborating with truck supplier PT Satal Nusantara, owned by late businessman Henky Samuel Daud, to inflate the prices of the fire trucks.

“I never communicated either with the project leaders or the procurement committee. Neither did I interfere with the procurement process,” he said.

Ismeth added that he had only approved and signed memos proposed by head of Batam Authorities Body’s general affairs bureau Daniel M. Yunus on Oct. 4, 2004, and deputy M. Prijanto on Feb. 22, 2005. — JP