Former Minister of Home Affairs arrested for corruption in Indonesia

Former Minister of Home Affairs arrested for corruption in Indonesia

2011-03-25 22:39:38 GMT+7 (ICT)

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- Hari Sabarno, former Minister of Home Affairs, on Friday was arrested for his involvement in a corruption case, the Antara news agency reported.

The detention was ordered by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) that is investigating the alleged corruption case of fire trucks procurement that began in September 2010.

Hari, also a retired general, was sent to the Cipinang Penitentiary. He is accused of issuing the radiogram for the procurement of fire trucks for several regions to make two companies the only suppliers during his term as minister.

Between 2001 and 2005, Hari mismanaged state budget funds connected to the procurement of fire trucks causing losses of Rp. 86.07 billion ($9.78 million) to the Indonesian government.

The former minister denied ever signing the radiogram or any other official note that benefited PT Istana Sarana Raya and PT Satal Nusantara, both companies owned by Hengky Samuel Daud.

Hari will be prosecuted in a corruption court rather than a military court. However, the former minster said he planned to request legal council from the Indonesian Military (TNI) legal unit.

The Indonesian government vowed to tackle corruption last year. On Tuesday, former Social Affairs Minister Bachtiar Chamsyah was sentenced to 20 months in prison and to pay a Rp 50 million ($5,750) fine for graft in the procurement of goods for victims of natural disasters in Indonesia.

The former minister was found guilty of approving the appointment of companies in the procurement of goods between 2004 and 2008, while he was in office. This illicit procurement cost the state an estimated Rp 33.7 billion ($3.86 million) in losses.

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