Yusuf Kalla testifies

Yusuf Kalla testifies

JAKARTA (JP): Former chief of State Logistics Agency (Bulog)
Yusuf Kalla said on Tuesday that he once rejected a request to
disburse Rp 10 billion by his deputy, Sapuan, for President
Abdurrahman Wahid in the absence of any written request.

Yusuf told the South Jakarta District Court that Sapuan, who
was on trial for embezzlement, asked for his signature in January
to disburse the fund from a Bulog employee's foundation.

Sapuan, he said, had recounted to him a meeting with the
President, in which the head of state had requested money for
some humanitarian programs in Aceh.

Yusuf said he told Sapuan that he would only sign the checks
if authorized in writing by the President.

"Sapuan violated procedures for failing to report to me about
the disbursement of the money," he said.

Sapuan is being charged with embezzling Rp 35 billion of the
foundation's money. He has denied any wrongdoing, saying that he
disbursed the money in the belief that it was requested by
President Abdurrahman. The recipient of the money, Suwondo, the
President's masseur, has been at large since news of the scandal
broke in April.

Yusuf, who also held the job of minister of industry and
trade, was fired from the Cabinet in April.

He told the court he was never aware of Sapuan's decision to
go ahead with disbursing the foundation's money although the
release of any sum above Rp 500 million must have his approval.

He also said that because of his preoccupation with the
Ministry of Industry and Trade, he delegated the day-to-day
management of Bulog to Sapuan on Dec. 24.

Judge Lalu Mariyun adjourned the trial until Thursday. (01)