KPK Asks Tomy Winata for Statement
Thursday, 30 November, 2006 | 11:59 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Investigators from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) asked for a statement from businessperson Tomy Winata yesterday (29/11) regarding the cash flow to the Maritime and Fisheries Affairs Department Foundation and his fisheries company’s license in Tual, Southeast Maluku.

In addition to Tomy, David Tjioe, Tomy’s confidant, was also asked for statement.

“The questions were regarding our relations with Mr Rokhmin (former Maritime and Fisheries Affairs Minister),” said Tomy, when leaving the KPK office yesterday.

He went home around 4.40pm carrying a bottle of mineral water.

“Tomy was questioned as a witness relating to suspected corruption at the Maritime Affairs Department,” said Johan Budi, KPK spokesperson.

In the case investigation, the Commission arrested former Secretary General of Maritime and Fisheries Department, Andin H. Tartoyo, on Monday (27/11).

Former Minister Rokhmin Dahuri was also questioned and has become a suspect.

The Fisheries Department is suspected to have collected non-budgetary tactical funds between April 18, 2002 and March 23, 2005.

These funds were from cutting one percent off the department’s budget and deconcentration funding from 30 provinces and other sources, including the Maritime Affairs Department’s partners.

The collected funds totaled Rp15 billion, but the Commission only managed to seized what has not yet been spent, around Rp739 million (comprised of two accounts, amounting to Rp567 million and Rp172 million respectively).

The funds were used for needs that were not allocated.

Tommy acknowledged he was asked for statement regarding his company which operates in Tual.

However, he disputed that there was any cash flow to the Maritime and Fisheries Affairs Department.

“There wasn’t any (cash flow). Because there wasn’t any, the amount wasn’t mentioned,” said Tomy after he was pressed for comment about the amount of the cash flow.

“We are in no way connected with it.”

According to Tomy, the fishery company is often hit by problems, including monetary crisis and riot or tumult.

“I stressed that when Mr Rokhmin was serving as a minister, the company was relatively dead,” he said.

Tomy is known to own PT Maritim Timur Jaya in Tual.

“Now it’s under Artha Graha Bank’s control,” said David Tjioe, who is also a PT Maritim Timur Jaja Director.

According to David Tjioe, the investigators asked whether he had delivered something to Rokhmin, had a meeting with him and whether he had promised something.

“I answered I didn’t know him,” he said.

Riky Ferdianto and Tito Sianipar