Saturday 10 May 2008

Lawmaker grilled in forest graft case

Lawmaker grilled in forest graft case

Sat, 05/10/2008 10:34 AM National

JAKARTA: The graft body summoned lawmaker I Made Urip of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle on Friday in relation to an allegedly illegal forest conversion in Banyuasin, South Sumatra.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) questioned Urip about the decision-making process for granting permission for a forest conversion.

"I was questioned as a witness in the case involving Sarjan Taher," Urip said.
Urip has denied involvement in the case.

Last week, the KPK arrested Sarjan, another member of the House of Representatives' Commission IV for forestry and agriculture, as a suspect in the same case, which centers on the conversion of a mangrove forest into a seaport. --JP