Sugiharto opens SMS center for reports on graft at SOEs

A week after President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono gave out his number to enable the public submit their concerns, State Minister of State Enterprises Sugiharto followed suit on Friday by announcing his number -- 0813-1857-7202 -- to get reports on graft at state firms.

"I will welcome any reports on indications of corruption at state enterprises. Do not hesitate to send (the reports), as all sender identities will be kept confidential," he said when opening the state enterprises workers union national meeting in Medan, North Sumatra.

Sugiharto explained that it complied with Presidential Instruction No. 5/2004 on the speeding up of corruption eradication.

He added that he had asked all state enterprises to actively participate in eradicating corruption and creating good corporate governance.

Susilo gave out his number last Saturday only to see it crash just hours after the announcement due to an excess of messages received.

On Wednesday, the President gave his new number -- 9949, indicating his birth date of Sept. 9, 1949 -- through which the public can directly forward complaints and information. Those who do not have mobile phones can send their concerns via snail mail to PO BOX 9949, Jakarta 10000.

West Java Governor Danny Setiawan has also given out his number for public complaints. -- JP/Apriadi Gunawan