Former Minister Admits on Alleged Graft Case

VIVAnews – Police have named former Indonesian Health Minister, Siti Fadilah Supari, suspect in the medical equipment procurement case committed in the Department of Health in 2005. 

Siti Fadilah has been questioned several times as well by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on some graft cases in the ministry.

After being quizzed by KPK on February 7, she admitted of having been examined in seven corruption cases in her office. “I've been summoned here many times for around seven cases,” said Siti. 

One of the cases was the bird flu management in 2006. Siti Fadilah was questioned as a witness for the suspect, Mulya Hasyim, a former Director General of the Ministry of Health’s Medical Services. 

Based on a document obtained by VIVAnews, Siti Fadilah was involved in direct appointment of medical equipment and hospital supply procurement in the event of the bird flu. 

The direct appointment’s approval letter No. 409/Menkes/VI/2006 dated 12 June 2006, was signed by Siti Fadilah. The letter was addressed to the Directorate General of the Ministry of Health’s Medical Services. 

In the letter, Siti Fadilah replied a letter sent by the Directorate General of the Ministry of Health’s Medical Services No. PL.00.03.1.3.1509 dated 14 April 2006 on direct appointment recommendation proposal. “The procurement process was carried out by the method of direct appointment,” said Siti in the letter. 

The direct appointment, according to Siti, was due to the set status of the bird flu as Extraordinary Event that threatened public’s. 

The letter was also forwarded to the Minister of Finance, the Chief of the Supreme Audit Agency, and the Secretary General of the Health Department.

Regarding this case, Siti was questioned by KPK on 11 January 2012.  

However, when asked about the direct appointment of the bird flu medical equipment procurement, Siti Fadilah refused to explain.  “I don’t know.  I have informed as it is,” she said.