KPK Urged to Uncover Mafia Practices in Oil Industry

By Indra Arief Pribadi Jakarta (Antara) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) should expose wrongdoings in Indonesia's oil and gas industry, following the arrest of Head of the Upstream Oil and Gas Special Working Unit (SKK Migas) Rudi Rubiandini, said a legislator. "KPK must be bold to expose mafia practices in both bureaucratic processes and oil and gas businesses run by private companies," added Bambang Soesatyo, a member of the House of Representative's III Commission. According to him, mafia practices in the oil and gas industry, in the areas of licensing and contract extension, have been prevalent for a long time. "We have heard rumours about businessmen giving government officials money in return for licenses," he said. Bambang Soesatyo added that KPK should look into such illegal practices carried out by foreign oil and gas companies in Indonesia. On Tuesday evening, KPK arrested Rudi Rubiandini in connection with a graft case. Two employees of foreign oil company Kernel Oil have also been arrested for allegedly offering bribes totalling US$700,000 to Rubiandini. Johan Budi, spokesperson for KPK, said Rubiandini and these two men have been taken to the KPK office for questioning. SKK Migas Secretary Gde Pradnyana expressed his disbelief at the case and refused to comment further. He said the agency would continue to operate normally. "We are shocked, but we will continue to work normally," Pradnyana said. (*)