KADIN clarifies

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