Richard Joost Lino-CEO, Pelindo II: I don't know what fear is  

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Richard Joost Lino, the current CEO of state-owned Pelindo II, is known for his straight talk and penchant for betting. This is evident in how he faces challenges and opposition, whether from his own employees, his colleagues or even government ministers. Recently, Lino was reported to the police by Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician, Masinton Pasaribu, who is also a former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) official, for allegedly giving a gratuity to State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno.

The public is unlikely to forget how Lino stood up against Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Natural Resources Rizal Ramli, also known for his sometimes injudicious language, over the damage at the port area caused by a project overseas by Rizal, as well as charges that Lino used State funds to place ads in a number of major media organizations.

When his office at Pelindo II was raided by the police over charges of the irregular purchase of 10 cranes, Lino held his own. He called National Planning and Development Chairman Sofyan Djalil, threatening to quit unless the truth was told.

Lino feels he has good reason to stick to his guns. "I don't know what fear is. I want to be honest with myself," Lino told Tempo reporters Tomi Aryanto, Jobpie Sugiharto, Isma Savitri and Khairul Anam, at his office last week. Excerpts of the two-hour interview follow.

So far you've been very relaxed despite all the attacks against you. But today, your lawyer reported Masinton Pasaribu to the police for insulting you.

I have never before sued anyone for insulting me, but I feel I must show people that facts cannot be twisted just like that. I feel my reputation has been damaged, especially over something costing just Rp200 million. Besides Masinton, there are 10 JICT (Jakarta International Container Terminal) people I will report to the police.

But is it true that Pelindo II spent Rp200 million to purchase equipment that were sent to the official residence of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Rini Soemarno?

The equipment was sent to the official residence of the minister, a place which has never been occupied. Bu Rini is rich; she prefers to stay in her own home. My wife happens to head a group of SOE chiefs wives. They usually meet at the minister's official residence because Rini suggested her official residence be used for such events, rather than remain unused. Then, because there was no furniture in the house, my wife asked to get some chairs belonging to Pelindo. It was in no way a gratification. A kickback is when something is given to benefit an individual. There was nothing like that in this case.

Reportedly, the Rp200 million was just the down payment?

The whole thing cost Rp200 million.

Is that from Pelindo II or the Tanjung Priok Port?

PTP (Tanjung Priok Port).

Why not from the Pelindo II budget?

Why should something like furniture come from this office? This office deals in the trillions (of rupiah). Why should the CEO buy furniture for Rp200 million?

Masinton never communicated with you about this?

Never.

How did you find out the information (on the furniture purchase) was leaked?

We found the person in the finance department who had done it. It was easy to track down, even though the original documents were taken. But I'm glad there's nothing bigger than that to get at me. In other words, I'm doing the right thing. So, I'm thankful.

Could Masinton's report to the police have anything to do with politics, because the PDI-P can't get along with Rini, which led to your office being raided by the police and you reacted to it?

I have nothing to do with politics. I'm not a politician. That's why I told the President; if that other business (the raid by the police) remains unexplained, I will leave.

But can you refute Masinton's report to the KPK that you are close Rini?

I'm close to Bu Rini professionally. Before she became minister, I didn't know her at all. So, if people say we're close, that's strange. Now, if she appreciates my work, that's another thing. But some people twisted the facts, saying that after the police raid, I complained to Pak Sofyan Djalil (National Planning Minister). Actually, I was the one who was called, and I never used the speaker when I spoke to him, so I can't understand how anyone could have known about my conversation with him, unless I was wiretapped. (*)

Read the full interview in this week's edition of Tempo English Magazine