Akbar Tandjung

Akbar Tandjung
clarifies

From Bisnis Indonesia

I would like to clarify reports appearing in several dailies
on Oct. 12, 2001, regarding the use of non-budgeted funds of the
State Logistics Agency (Bulog).

I have never stated that I received the above agency's funds
of Rp 40 billion.

The real fact is that I, as the state secretary minister at
the time, asked staff of the Bulog chief to directly hand over
the said amount to the management of a foundation, who was also
present.

This foundation had been recommended by the related minister
to execute a food supply program in accordance with the then
government's policy.

Therefore, the reports saying that I had personally received
such funds are entirely incorrect.

It was former president Soeharto's policy to make use of non-
budgeted Bulog funds for humanitarian purposes in the form of a
food supply program. In its execution, the funds were channeled
through the state secretary minister in coordination with the
relevant minister.

As such, I would like to emphasize that my function as the
state secretary minister at the time was only to execute the
former president's instructions.

AKBAR TANDJUNG

Jakarta