House Commission VII lawmaker questioned over SKK Migas bribery case

Sutan Bhatoenaga, a member of the House of Representatives Commission VII on energy and mining, was questioned by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) about allegations that he was involved in a bribery case implicating the now suspended chairman of the upstream oil and gas authority SKK Migas, Rudi Rubiandini, reports said Thursday.

Speaking to reporters prior to the questioning, Sutan, who is a member of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono?s Democrat Party, denied allegation that he had asked for Rp 2 billion (about US$168,279) in kickbacks from Rudi to help forge closer ties between the SKK Migas and the House.

When asked about his meetings with Rudi in a number of places, including Pacific Place and Plaza Senayan shopping malls, both in South Jakarta , Sutan was quoted by The Jakarta Post as saying that he had often met Rudi but only in his capacity as a lawmaker on House Commission VII overseeing energy and natural mineral resources. (*)