Prajogo queried over donations

JAKARTA (JP): Business tycoon Prajogo Pangestu was questioned at the Attorney General's Office here on Friday in connection with an investigation into charges of collusion, corruption and nepotism at several foundations chaired by former president Soeharto.

Prajogo, who is president of the Barito Group, was questioned by prosecutor Chaerul Imam, who is part of a team in charge of investigating the case, Antara reported.

Prajogo admitted that he had donated about US$225 million to three foundations -- Supersemar, Dharmais and Dakab.

The donations, he said, were transferred in 1990 from Citibank Singapore, BDN Jakarta and BBD Jakarta to the foundations' accounts at Bank Indover in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General's Office is waiting to question another tycoon, Mohammad "Bob" Hasan, the boss of the Nusamba Group.

If Hasan is reluctant to show up after receiving a request for his appearance at the office, it is possible members of the investigation team will go to him.