Company demands ministry Rp 1,000

Company demands ministry Rp 1,000

JAKARTA (JP): The State Administrative Court on Tuesday
adjourned until next Wednesday the trial of a dispute between the
Ministry of Health and Social Affairs and promotion company PT
Cahaya Kristal Media Utama (CKMU) after both parties refused to
respond to each other's arguments.

The case centers on a lawsuit filed by the promotion company
over alleged irregularities in three tenders for the ministry's
purchase of equipment and services, which the firm lost.

PT CKMU demands that the minister suspend his decree which
named the winning bidder and pay Rp 1,000 in compensation for
holding tenders that contravened Presidential Decree No. 18/2000.

"We are not kidding about our demand. We are not seeking
money, but a fair and just procedure which everybody must comply
with," said Defrizal, a lawyer representing the company.

He also questioned why the ministry rejected his client's Rp
4.6 billion offer, instead awarding another company that bid Rp
5.2 billion.

The tenders involve coordination of the ministry's Public
Awareness Campaign, the making of nine episodes on healthy
living, the production of TV segments and a program on safe
birth. (amd)