Ginandjar pleads not guilty<\/p>\n
JAKARTA: Former mining and energy minister Ginandjar
\nKartasasmita appeared on Thursday for questioning as the prime
\nsuspect in a fraudulent oil technical assistance contract.<\/p>\n
Ginandjar defied the charges, saying the project which he
\nendorsed would have generated revenue and improved efficiency had
\nit run according to the contract. The project materialized after
\nGinandjar was no longer minister and was continued by the late
\nIda Bagus Sudjana, who was also named a suspect before he died
\nlast month.<\/p>\n
The project, which involved state oil company Pertamina and PT
\nUstra Indo Petrogas (UIP), caused US$23.3 million in state
\nlosses.<\/p>\n
Ginandjar said the project was aimed at increasing the
\ncountry's oil output as part of the government's efforts to
\nimprove Indonesia's self-reliance.<\/p>\n
"At that time the government thought Pertamina needed help to
\nincrease oil products. As we lacked funds and technology, we
\ninvited the private sector to join," he said.<\/p>\n
Deputy Attorney General for special crimes Haryadi Widyasa
\nsaid Ginandjar was accused of procedural violations because the
\ncontract allowed UIP to also manage productive oil wells, whereas
\nnormally such a project covers only unproductive wells. -- Antara<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ginandjar-pleads-not-guilty-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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