TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - He is popular for his use of expressive phrases, like "it's in" and "perversely pleasant". He frequently acts like the Democrat Party spokesman. His name was cited more frequently by the public after the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) searched his mansion in Bogor, West Java, two weeks ago.
With his fellow Democrat Party associate Tri Yulianto, Sutan, 57, head of the House of Representatives (DPR) Energy Commission, is allegedly involved in the bribery case of Rudi Rubiandini, former chief of the Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas). This is not the first time he has been embroiled in a corruption case. He is suspected of being involved in the solar power plant project at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry in 2008.
Tempo reporters Rusman Paraqbueq and Anton Septian met with Sutan last week at his ninth floor office at the DPR building to confirm some of the charges against him.
Was there really a cash flow of US$ 200,000 to the DPR Energy Commission?
I don't get it. They said it was not given to me, but to someone else. The head of Commission VII has summoned Tri Yulianto twice, and he claimed the money did not exist.
The money was given to Tri at your request?
No. Lillahi ta'ala (it's up to God to decide), I've never communicated with him to ask for that.
Rudi said you contacted him to ask for the Lebaran bonus?
There's no such thing. The words I used that might be seen to have negative connotation, were positive ones.
For example?
Just before the Lebaran holidays I called him. At that time he was overseas. I told him, "We're worried here, while you're overseas." Rudi said that he would come back soon and that he had asked for his subordinate to contact the mininister, asking for "two words" to hold on to. Those "two words" would mean the problem was settled.
What did that mean?
We were increasing the oil lifting. There was a friend who had won the bid for the oil block, but the agreement hadn't been signed. He came to me and complained. He said that Rudi needed the approval of the minister with the words, "OK, proceed." I said no, Rudi was already the chief. The minister was only the supervisor who got the reports.
What about the word 'Lebaran' in your communication with Rudi?
If the letter was not signed, it could only be after 'Lebaran', another holiday.
Is it true money went to the DPR from the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry secretary-general?
When I was summoned to testify as a witness in his case, I was repeatedly asked about discussing the budget, especially ICP, oil lifting and macro assumption, which was linked to the State Budget (APBN) and the Revised State Budget (APBN-P).
You were summoned because business people and Pertamina 'contributed' to bribe the DPR?
Yes, there was information like that. But I don't know for sure.
But Rudi mentioned that there was a donation from some businesspeople?
How should we know? There are many commission members.
Was there a promise from the former BP Migas chief to give money to legislators, but it failed to come through so they asked Rudi to pay it?
That I don't know.
Rudi admitted to meeting you several times during the fasting month last year?
Look. There's a friend who felt he'd been wronged. After Rudi became the SKK Migas chief, we received many complaints. I sorted out the ones that were feasible to be brought to him. Why the Commission? If it was in the Commission, then someone would say it's an order, it would cause a stir. When a friend complains, I tell them, look, bring the evidence and we'll contact Rudi.
Did you meet with Rudi at Bimasena Club, Dharmawangsa?
That was another matter. I was invited by a businessman who knew Rudi and I. When I arrived Rudi was already there. As it turned out, the person wanted to arrange things at the SKK Migas. However, Rudi said to proceed, as long as Commission VII didn't create a fuss. In the end, the commission head was invited. I said, stick to the right path, don't arrange things.
Would it be possible for someone to take advantage of your meetings to ask for money?
We don't understand that. I said, "Rudi don't go out of line, we'll support you." But the Democrat Party is only represented by 14 people in the Energy Commission. So it needs to have a good political communication with the other factions. (*)
