Pertamina probed over alleged graft

Pertamina probed over alleged graft

JAKARTA: The Jakarta Police have questioned three officials of
state oil supplier PT Pertamina as witnesses in corruption
allegations involving the sale by auction of six ships in July
2003.

"Besides Pertamina officials, we have also questioned the
winner of the auction and an official from the Ministry of
Finance," police spokesman Sr. Comr. Prasetyo said on Friday.

The police had yet to name any suspects, he added.

The three officials reportedly arranged the auction of the
used ships. According to the law, any auction of the assets of
state enterprises should be made with the consent of the
Directorate General for State Auctions, a unit at the Ministry of
Finance.

"The ministry stated that Pertamina had permission to auction
only five ships, not six," Prasetyo said.

He added that the investigators had not yet disclosed the
estimated amount of state losses caused by the alleged graft. --
JP