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Kaban pushed for graft-riddled project: Witness

JAKARTA: Former forestry minister MS Kaban was “obstinate” in procuring a radio communication system for the ministry, a project allegedly riddled with graft — to the tune of Rp 730 billion (US$80

The Jakarta Post

Jakarta

Wed, May 12, 2010 Published on May. 12, 2010 Published on 2010-05-12T10:02:34+07:00

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AKARTA: Former forestry minister MS Kaban was “obstinate” in procuring a radio communication system for the ministry, a project allegedly riddled with graft — to the tune of Rp 730 billion (US$80.3 million), a court heard Tuesday.

During the hearing, Yusuf Erwin Faishal, the former head of the House of Representative’s Commission IV overseeing forestry, took to the witness stand and told the Corruption Court that Kaban had pushed for the budget for the project to be approved.

“[Kaban] was obstinate about expanding the procurement project. [The radio communication system] was needed to improve communication as a part of the ministry’s effort to fight illegal logging,” he said.

The tender for the procurement project was won by PT Masaro Radiokom in 2007. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named the company’s owner, businessman Anggoro Widjojo, a suspect in the case.

The Tuesday hearing saw three defendants tried: Azwar Chesputra, Hilman Indra and Fachri Andi Leluasa. The three are former legislators accused of receiving bribes from Anggoro. — JP