Bogor official admits to bribery<\/p>\n
Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor<\/p>\n
The head of Bogor Health Agency admitted that he had given Rp
\n20 million (US$2,000) to a municipal administration official who
\nhad supervised the supply of medicine to the agency.<\/p>\n
Djono Kardjoeki said on Monday that he gave the money as an
\n\"expression of gratitude\" from the agency to the official before
\nhe inspected PT Indofarma Global Mandiri, a Bekasi-based
\npharmaceutical firm, which won a Rp 3.499 billion ($350 million)
\ntender to supply medicine to the agency.<\/p>\n
Djono said that the official had inspected the company to find
\nout whether it was qualified to supply the medicine.<\/p>\n
The tender, held on July 2, involved eight companies, he said.<\/p>\n
He made the statement before the municipal council's
\nCommission E on economic affairs, who had summoned him to explain
\nthe issue following rumors about the scandal, which had surfaced
\nlast week.<\/p>\n
Djono said that the agency bought the medicine for Rp 3.499
\nbillion, used the funds for unexpected spending in the regional
\nbudget.<\/p>\n
The money was sent to the pharmacy last Tuesday and the
\npharmacy had distributed 10 percent of the order to health
\ncenters across Bogor regency.<\/p>\n
Djoko's statement contradicted his previous statement. He
\nearlier told reporters that the pharmaceutical company had given
\nhim Rp 20 million to distribute to officials who were to inspect
\nthe firm.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Atiek Zaenuddin, head of Commission E, told
\nreporters after the meeting with Djoko that he found many
\noddities in Djoko's statements.<\/p>\n
\"I am not satisfied with the answers given by the head of the
\nagency,\" said the councillor, who had been assigned by the
\ncouncil to probe the scandal.<\/p>\n
He said he had asked the health agency to issue a written
\nreport about what really happened.<\/p>\n
But he said he did not have any plan to summon the official
\nwho had allegedly received money from the health agency.<\/p>\n
\"The agency head said he had given the money to just one
\nperson,\" Atiek said. He declined to identify the official.<\/p>\n
Djono told reporters that he was ready to be questioned by the
\npolice or prosecutors.<\/p>\n
\"This country is based on the rule of law. I am ready to
\nresign if asked to do so.\"<\/p>",
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