Sapuan followed Bulog procedures, witnesses say

Sapuan followed Bulog procedures, witnesses say

JAKARTA (JP): Two executives of the State Logistics Agency
(Bulog)'s employee foundation, Yanatera, said on Tuesday former
Bulog deputy chief Sapuan followed procedures when he ordered the
release of Rp 35 billion earlier this year.

Administrative chief Asep Permana and executive manager
Kamarudin Jamal told the South Jakarta District Court they
believed Sapuan was within his authority in asking for the funds.

Sapuan is standing trial on charges of embezzling the
foundation's money. He has insisted the money was requested by
President Abdurrahman Wahid to fund the government's humanitarian
program in Aceh, although the money found its way to people close
to the President, including his masseur Suwondo, who is currently
at large.

Asep said he prepared the memorandums and the checks for the
Rp 35 billion at the request of Sapuan.

He also said it was not unusual for top Bulog leaders to issue
internal memos asking for loans from the foundation.

Kamarudin, who said he was on leave at the time the money was
transferred, also testified that the Bulog chief at the time,
minister of industry and trade Jusuf Kalla, had given Sapuan the
full authority to run the agency.

Presiding judge Lalu Mariyun adjourned the trial until next
week.(01)