Cases of irregularities involving Rp 8.65 billion reported

JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications yesterday reported several cases of irregularities in the state-run companies under its supervision, which happened over the last 18 years and involves Rp 8.65 billion (US$7.97 million).

The inspector general of the ministry, Oentoeng Sarwono, told reporters here that his office discovered at least 1,196 cases of administrative violations, delayed payments and project implementations.

"Within the last five years, the State Audit Agency (BPKP) also found that there have been 230 cases of irregularities within the ministry, 220 of which have been solved," he said.

He said that out of the Rp 8.65 billion loss, Rp 4.81 billion could be recovered.

The ministry supervises seven companies including PT Indosat, an international telecommunications operator, PT Telkom, a domestic telecommunications operator, PT HII-Natour, a hotel operator, PT TWCBPRB, a temple management company, PT BTDC, a tourism resort management agency, and Perum Pos & Giro, the country's postal service monopoly.

Indosat is one of the country's biggest tax paying companies of the last two years.(icn)