Arifin sees politics behind charges

Arifin sees politics behind charges

JAKARTA: Businessman Arifin Panigoro said on Thursday the
reinstatement of corruption charges against him were linked to
his position as an outspoken politician.

"This is an old story. I invited you here to tell you that
this is an old story," Arifin of the Indonesian Democratic Party
of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) told the media at his residence in
South Jakarta.

The spokesman for the Attorney General's Office, Kemas Yahya
Rahman, said on Wednesday a dossier on a graft case involving
Arifin would soon be submitted to the courts.

Arifin has been implicated in a graft case that revolves
around a loan agreement between his company Medco Group and
state-owned investment company PT Bahana Pembinaan Usaha
Indonesia. The agreement allegedly caused the state US$25 million
in losses.

Arifin was declared a suspect in July 2001, but the case was
suspended and Arifin completed repaying the debt in August 2002.

"As a good citizen, I will obey the legal process. However, I
feel there is some (political) motive behind it," Arifin said.

A former aide to PDI Perjuangan chairwoman Megawati
Soekarnoputri, who is also the President, Arifin has clashed with
Megawati recently over several of her decisions to back the
incumbents in gubernatorial elections around the country. -- JP