Former Minister Questioned by Anti-Graft Agency as Witness

Jakarta (Antara) - Former minister of forestry MS Kaban here, Thursday, was questioned as a witness by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in connection with the corruption case of Integrated Radio Communication System (SKRT) project in his ministry in 2006-2007. "This is a legal process and I am being questioned as a witness for Anggoro (suspect) in connection with the extension of money to some parliament members. That is all," Kaban said upon arrival at the KPK building. MS Kaban, who is currently also the General Chairman of the Moon and Star Party (PBB), was the minister of forestry when the SKRT project was being carried out; he had been banned from travelling abroad since February 11. "Regarding the direct appointment issue", he stated," it was a mere state administration. What is important is that there was no intention to enrich oneself. It was merely aimed at implementing state duty due to time constraints and, it was also allowed by the law and the presidential regulation. And what was the most important of all, was maintaining the country's relations with the US government," he explained. Kaban pointed out that the project was a cooperation effort between the Indonesian and US governments since the late president Soeharto era, extended later by the late president Abdurrahman Wahid and President Bill Clinton. "In 2004, it was stopped because between 1999-2004 the regional office of the ministry of forestry was dissolved and replaced by forestry service. So, no central or regional agencies managed the state assets. Only after the unity cabinet was established and the situation was stable, could all the assets be taken to the central management," he remarked. Regarding the ban on his former driver from travelling abroad, Kaban added that it was all right. "He is indeed close to me," he added. Kaban denied that he knew that money worth US$20,000 had been received by his then Secretary General, Boen Mochtar Purnama. (*)