Ginandjar clarifies role in recent graft allegation

Ginandjar clarifies role in recent graft allegation

JAKARTA (JP): Former coordinating minister for economy and
finance Ginandjar Kartasasmita visited the Attorney General's
Office on Friday to clarify recent allegations that he was
involved in graft concerning several dubious government
contracts.

Requesting an audience with the office three weeks ago,
Ginandjar repeated his clarification that he made before House of
Representatives (DPR) Commission VIII for mines and energy
earlier this month to refute the rumors.

"I took the initiative to come here today to clear up the
rumors, which grabbed people's attention. I want this matter to
finish ... I want it to end soon.

"I was not involved," he told journalists after the six-hour-
session with prosecutors from the intelligence department of the
Attorney General's Office.

Ginandjar, who held several ministerial posts during the
administration of former president Soeharto, has been accused by
some legislators and analysts of involvement in corrupt practices
in the awarding of contracts to PT Freeport Indonesia mining
company and for power purchases with PT Paiton Energy.

Ginandjar served as the mines and energy minister when
Freeport's contract was renewed on Dec. 30, 1991 and when
Paiton's was being processed.

He is also suspected of corruption during the preparation of
the contract for the giant Balongan oil refinery in West Java,
owned by state oil and gas company Pertamina.

Controversy over the contracts erupted after the resignation
of former president Soeharto in the middle of 1998.

Attorney General Marzuki Darusman said in a hearing with House
Commission VIII earlier this month that his office had found
indications of corruption involving Ginandjar in the cases.

"We will evaluate Ginandjar's clarification while we study
these cases before taking further legal action," he announced on
Friday at his office.

One of the prosecutors, Antasari Azhar, said that Ginandjar
had also clarified rumors of his alleged role in instigating
recent unrest across the country.

But Ginandjar, who is also a deputy speaker of the People's
Consultative Assembly, denied Antasari's statement.

"That's funny ... why should I? I had nothing to do with the
recent riots," Ginandjar said.

President Abdurrahman Wahid recently claimed that he has a
list of people from the past regimes who masterminded the recent
riots to put pressure on his government. (bby)