Bondan not involved in Bulogate: Marzuki
Bondan not involved in Bulogate: Marzuki
JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Marzuki Darusman cleared former
state secretary Bondan Gunawan on Friday of any wrongdoing in the
Rp 35 billion State Logistics Agency (Bulog) scandal.
Marzuki explained that from Bondan's clarification to
prosecutors and an assessment made by National Police chief Gen.
Rusdihardjo, it was concluded that Bondan was not involved in the
disbursement of money belonging to Bulog's foundation to
businessman Suwondo, who is also known as a masseur to the
President.
"The chief of police told me that he didn't think Bondan was
involved. His statement corroborated my assessment on Bondan's
clarification," Marzuki told journalists after a meeting with
Rusdihardjo and legislators of the House of Representatives.
Bondan was also "invited" to the Attorney General's Office to
clarify his suspected role in the case on Friday morning.
Marzuki said he was requested by the President to ask Bondan
for clarification, eight hours before Bondan resigned from his
post on May 29.
"I've been asked by the President to inquire about Bondan's
alleged involvement in the case. This is a proper measure taken
by an attorney general and the session was conducted on the
sidelines of the ongoing investigation into the case by the
police," Marzuki added.
Separately, Rusdihardjo told journalists, before leaving the
Attorney General's Office, that the police had no urgency to
summon Bondan.
The Jakarta Police, which are currently handling the case,
have named Bulog deputy chairman Sapuan a suspect. The police
said it was Sapuan who agreed to disburse the funds to Suwondo in
January. Sapuan was dismissed from his post by the President soon
after being named a suspect.
Sapuan told investigators that he believed the money was to be
used for humanitarian programs in Aceh as requested by President
Abdurrahman through Suwondo. The money was transferred to Suwondo
in the belief that the latter was acting on the President's
behalf, Sapuan claimed. (bby)