Tuesday 29 July 2008

President respects legal process implicating his ministers

Comment by Nature Alert: The Forestry Minister mentioned below is the same man who last year helped Indonesia's most notorious illegal logger walk free from court. (That's worth reading again) Two judges were subsequently promoted. He is also the same Minister who sells forests to palm oil companies. The same Minister who is ultimately responsible for the deaths of about 3000 orangutans a year. One of his close colleagues is currently blocking the rescue and rehabilitation of 32 orangutans currently being kept in inhumane conditions within Jakarta zoo - more on this to follow.



Tuesday, July 29, 2008

President respects legal process implicating his ministers

Antara , Jakarta Tue, 07/29/2008

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono respects the legal process and facts revealed by the Corruption Court implicating his two Cabinet ministers as the recipients of illegal Bank Indonesian funds in 2003, according to his spokesman.

"As for the President, he leaves it to whatever the legal facts are. The people concerned can defend themselves based on the principle of presumption of innocence," presidential spokesman Andi Malarangeng told reporters before accompanying the President at a meeting with visiting OPEC President Chakib Khalil on Tuesday.

Andi referred to the testimony by legislator Hamka Yandhu presented to the Corruption Court on Monday, which revealed that Development Planning Minister Paskah Suzetta and Forestry Minister MS Kaban had received part of the BI funds when they both were members of the Finance Commission at the House of Representatives, in the period of 1999 to 2004.

Hamka Yandhu further said he personally handed over Rp 1 billion (US$110,000) in four installments to Suzetta and Rp 300 million to Kaban.
Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi and State Secretary Hatta Rajasa refused to comment on Yandhu's statements.

"I read about it in the newspapers this morning," Sudi told newsmen. Hatta Rajasa said he had not yet read about it.(*****)