Alleged bribery case of U.S.-based Monsanto Corporation in Indonesia
Alleged bribery case of U.S.-based Monsanto Corporation in Indonesia
1997-2002 - According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Monsanto made at least $700,000 in illicit payments to at least 140 current and former Indonesian government officials and their family members.
1998 - Monsanto lobbies Indonesia to accept genetically-modified (GM) crops.
Sep. 12, 2000 - State minister of the environment Sony Keraf expresses his personal disapproval of the project, along with pressure from NGOs over concerns of the possible effect of GM crops on the environment.
Sep. 15, 2000 - Coordinating minister for the economy Rizal Ramli postponed an agreement between the government of Indonesia and Monsanto on the development of cotton seeds in South Sulawesi.
Feb. 7, 2001 - Indonesian minister of agriculture Bungaran Saragih issues Decree No. 107/2001 that allows Monsanto to provide farmers in South Sulawesi with the seeds to grow its Bollgard cotton (Bt). The decree is issued based on the Jakarta- based PT Monagro Kimia's request to sow it seeds in 4.360 hectares of land.
May 2001 - A total of 40 tons of Bollgard cotton seed belonging to Monsanton, imported by PT Monagro Kimia, arrives from South Africa.
Jun. 21, 2001 - The first hearing of the case of genetically modified cotton at Jakarta's state administrative court. The lawsuit was filed by some NGOs to annul the Ministerial Decree No. 107/2001.
Feb. 2002 - According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, an employee of a consulting firm that represented Monsanto gives a senior environment ministry official an envelope containing US$50,000 in $100 bills at the latter's home.
Sep. 2001 to Aug. 2002 - A study by a post-graduate student from the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB), Maharmah Nadir, shows that genetically modified cotton grown experimentally in South Sulawesi has contaminated areas around the plantation owned by U.S. firm PT Monagro Kimia.
Jan. 2002 & Feb. 2003 - The minister of agriculture issues more decrees to license the commercialization of Bt transgenetic cotton.
April 30, 2002 - Some NGOs file an appeal to annul Ministerial Decree No. 107/2001.
Jan. 6, 2005 - Monsanto Co. agrees to pay a US$1.5 million penalty to settle charges of bribing the Indonesian government, the U.S. Justice Department said. The firm was charged with violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Jan. 8, 2005 - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) declares it is ready to investigate a bribery case involving Monsanto and sends official letters to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice.
Source: Various sources