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