TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Agriculture Minister Suswono said he met the suspect of beef import quota scandal Ahmad Fathanah three times. "Twice in Makassar and in Medan on January 11," said the minister in response to questions from the panel of judges at Jakarta Anti-graft Court (Tipikor) on Friday.
Suswono claimed that the first two meetings took place during Takalar District head election campaign in South Sulawesi in late 2012, and during breakfast at Makassar Mayor Ilham Arief Sirajuddin’s residence.
The meeting in Medan was attended by Prosperity and Justice Party (PKS) former President Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq, meat importer Indoguna Utama CEO Maria Elizabeth Liman and Agriculture Ministry staffer Soewarso, allegedly Suswono’s inner circle.
LINDA HAIRANI