Police start probe on bird flu vaccine graft

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JAKARTA: The National Police has begun investigating graft allegations surrounding the procurement of bird flu vaccine, which caused state losses of more than Rp 460 billion (US$48.3 million).

National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said that investigators from the criminal investigations division had requested the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) to check bank accounts belonging to those implicated in the graft case and look for suspicious transactions.

The investigators have also questioned witnesses in the case, including officials from companies who won the contract from PT Anugrah Nusantara and companies appointed by the Health Ministry to build facilities for vaccine production.

PT Anugrah Nusantara is thought to be owned by Democratic Party chairman, Anas Urbaningrum.

An audit by the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) revealed irregularities in what it called an “unhealthy” partnership between the Health Ministry, which oversaw the procurement, and companies appointed to build facilities to produce the vaccine, which included PT Anugrah Nusantara.

PT Anugrah Nusantara, owned by graft convict and former Democratic Party treasurer Muhammad Nazaruddin, won a Rp 718 billion tender for equipment for the vaccine plant.

During several hearings in his trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Nazaruddin repeatedly stated that PT Anugrah Nusantara was co-owned by Anas.