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)