Pertamina corruption case goes on

Pertamina corruption case goes on

JAKARTA: The Attorney General's office said on Monday it would
continue to probe corruption charges in a contract between state
oil and gas firm Pertamina and PT Ustraindo, despite the death of
several suspects.

Head of the information center at the Attorney General's
Office Barman Zahir said that two of four suspects had recently
died: former Minister of Mines and Energy I.B. Sudjana and former
Pertamina president Faisal Abda'oe.

There are still two suspects, former minister of mines and
energy Ginandjar Kartasasmita and Ustraindo president Praptono
Ciptohupoyo, a relative of former president Soeharto's late wife,
according to him.

He added his office would summon Ginandjar next month.

The technical assistance contract (TAC) between Pertamina and
Ustraindo violates regulations, as under the contract, Ustraindo
were freed from paying costs, which, according to TAC regulations
should have been borne by Ustraindo.

The TAC reportedly caused the state to lose some US$23.3
million.-Antara