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)