Ginandjar questioning in graft case set for March 15
Ginandjar questioning in graft case set for March 15
JAKARTA (JP): The Attorney General's Office has summoned
former minister of mines and energy Ginandjar Kartasasmita and
his successor Ida Bagus Sudjana for questioning over their
suspected roles in graft cases which took place during their
tenures.
Deputy Attorney for Special Crimes Bachtiar Fachri Nasution
said on Monday that his investigators expected Ginandjar, who is
still on a lecture program overseas, to appear for the session on
March 15.
"We sent the summonses to the two suspects last Friday. To
ensure Ginandjar receives his summons, we sent them with the help
of the foreign ministry, our embassy in the U.S., his family and
his lawyer Muchyar Yara," Bachtiar told journalists.
By procedure, a witness or a suspect must appear for
questioning at least three days after receiving a summons.
Attorney General Marzuki Darusman said his office has allowed
a longer delay for Ginandjar because the latter is attending a
visiting fellowship program at Boston-based Harvard University,
which is due to end in July.
Speaking to the media at his office after the observance of
Idul Adha (Islamic Day of Sacrifice), Marzuki said he had also
asked Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung to aide in enabling
the questioning of Ginandjar to materialize as soon as possible.
Ginandjar serves as vice speaker of the People's Consultative
Assembly representing Golkar.
"Akbar said he had suggested to Ginandjar to come home for the
legal proceedings," Marzuki said.
Ginandjar has repeatedly said that he can only give a written
testimony to the office before his return home.
Ginandjar is suspected of illegally approving four contracts
between state oil and gas company Pertamina and private oil
company PT Ustraindo Petro Gas in early 1992 and 1993, causing
US$18 million in losses to the state.
Sudjana is suspected of abusing his power by approving
amendments to the contracts for oil development in the still
active oil fields, resulting in a total of $6.8 million in state
losses.
Soeharto
On the case of former president Soeharto, Marzuki ensured his
office's nonintervention in arranging the schedule and technical
matters in the treatment of Soeharto, a defendant in a $571
million corruption case.
"Whether Soeharto has to be hospitalized is up to the state-
appointed team of physicians from Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital
(RSCM)...we're not going to interfere with their decisions,"
Marzuki said.
"However, I have asked for help from Minister of Health and
Social Welfare Achmad Sujudi and he said he will contact the RSCM
management regarding the plan to treat Soeharto or to admit him
to one of the state-run hospitals in the capital."
Marzuki confirmed that although Soeharto's family prefer home
treatment for the former ruler, the final say is in the hands of
RSCM medical team in accordance with the Supreme Court's ruling
issued last month.
The Court has ordered state prosecutors to undertake
Soeharto's medical treatment until he is declared fit to stand
trial.
Soeharto, who will turn 80 in June, has suffered three strokes
since resigning in the middle of 1998. (bby)