Latief summoned over Jamsostek scam

JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Prosecutor's Office is scheduled to question former manpower minister Abdul Latief on Monday as a suspect in alleged corruption concerning state-owned social insurance company PT Jamsostek.

The prosecutor's office issued a summons for Latief on Friday.

Spokesman for the Attorney General's Office Soehandojo said prosecutors planned to question Latief on Friday, but his lawyers said their client could not attend due to health reasons.

"Abdul Latief cannot meet the summons but promised to fulfill the rescheduled questioning on Monday," Soehandojo quoted Latief's lawyers as saying.

Latief, owner of ALatieF Corporation which includes retail firm PT Pasaraya Toserba Jaya and the Ambhara Hotel, is alleged to have misused funds from PT Jamsostek.

"Latief is suspected of using the funds to finance the deliberations of the manpower bill," Soehandojo said as quoted by Antara.

Latief was manpower minister from 1993 to 1997 under Soeharto. The bill was deliberated in 1997.

Latief said previously that Soeharto condoned the use of the funds to finance the bill. He said the ministry at the time was short of funds while the government was pressed to establish a crucial labor law in the face of many problems.

He also came under severe criticism for allegedly paying House members to help pass the controversial bill sponsored by his ministry. (emf)