Corruption rife in state firms

MEDAN, North Sumatra: The Provincial prosecutor's office has promised to investigate serious allegations of corruption at state-owned palm oil plantations in the province, says an official.

Chairman Harahap, chief of the provincial prosecutor's office, conceded that his office had received numerous reports alleging graft that has reached billions of rupiah, in almost all state- owned palm oil plantations.

"We will follow up the reports. If the reports are found to be true, those who are allegedly involved in such corruption will be brought to court," he pledged.

The Muslim Youth Organization (YPPISU) issued a press release on Wednesday that it had an "abundance of accurate data which details the corrupt practices of high officials in the state- owned company PTPN II, which has reached more than Rp 1 trillion over the last two and a half years." -- Antara