Ginandjar to be summoned for further clarification: Marzuki

JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Marzuki Darusman said on Wednesday that his office would soon summon former coordinating minister for the economy, finance and industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita to clarify his previous statement before government investigators last month.

"We plan to invite Ginandjar to the Attorney General's Office for further clarification later this month.

"We'll also invite other former officials and experts allegedly involved in several dubious government contracts," Marzuki told journalists at his office.

He said he had directly contacted Ginandjar to ask for his readiness to give further clarifications at any time to ensure a smooth examination of the case.

"And he (Ginandjar) gave his commitment," Marzuki said.

Though admitting that there was still insufficient evidence to prove Ginandjar's alleged involvement in the case, Marzuki personally asked him not to take any overseas trips for a while.

He said the Office of Deputy Attorney General for Intelligence Affairs, which is handling the case, had found the irregularities, indicating corruption in several mining and power supply contracts between private companies and the Ministry of Mines and Energy, which was then led by Ginandjar.

Ginandjar had taken the initiative to visit the Attorney General's Office on July 28 to counter the allegations of his involvement in corruption in the awarding of contracts to the U.S.-based PT Freeport Indonesia mining company and for the purchase of electric power from PT Paiton Energy.

He earlier made clarifications before the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission VIII on mines and energy.

Ginandjar, who held several ministerial posts during the administration of former president Soeharto, served as the mines and energy minister when Freeport's contract was renewed on Dec. 30, 1991 and when Paiton's project was being processed.

He is also suspected of corruption during the preparation of the contract for the giant Balongan oil refinery in Indramayu, 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.

Marzuki said his office would first invite former directors of Pertamina Faisal Abda'oe and Tabrani, the experts handling the Balongan project and other current and former government officials to renew their clarifications concerning the cases.

"We will intensify the examination of the cases, which are being handled by the Office of Deputy Attorney General for Intelligence Affairs, along with the Office of Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes," he added. (bby)