KADIN clarifies

This refers to your article on Jan. 28 titled Minister admits misuse of relief funds. The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), as the organizer of the Indonesia Infrastructure Summit 2005, was shocked by the suggestion of Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Alwi Shihab that a large amount of money received from public donations for tsunami survivors was paid out to help organize the recent infrastructure summit.

KADIN, as the organizing committee of the Indonesia Infrastructure Summit 2005, did not receive any funds whatsoever from Aceh relief donations or from any governmental department. Although the summit was a government driven initiative, all costs for the summit were covered by private/corporate sector sponsorships.

The delegates who participated in the summit were given the opportunity to make relief contributions to Aceh. During the dinner reception with the President, the organizing committee announced that it had raised an amount of approximately Rp 5 billion from the summit delegates to be donated to Aceh relief efforts.

Indeed, the Indonesia Infrastructure Summit 2005 was conceived prior to the tsunami. However, after this tragic event demand for developing Indonesia's infrastructure became even more relevant. Not only is there a national need for revitalizing our infrastructure so that our country will have a strong foundation for economic growth, but now there is also an urgent mandate to rehabilitate basic infrastructure services for the people of Aceh and North Sumatra.

Instead of resorting to inappropriate accusations and misinformation, KADIN wishes that all components in the country could work together to bring our nation forward. Nevertheless, we strongly suggest that the authorities conduct an investigation of the disbursement of public donations for Aceh relief efforts to ensure transparency and accountability.

MUHAMAD S. HIDAYAT President KADIN Jakarta