PLN chief grilled over bonus payments

The Attorney General's office grilled state-owned electricity firm PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara's (PLN) president director Eddie Widiono for 12 hours over the payment of Rp 4.3 billion bonus to members of the firm's board of directors and commissioners, the Koran Tempo and Kompas newspapers reported in their Wednesday editions.

The bonus payment has raised the eyebrows of many parties given that the state firm was still in financial difficulties, resulting from the monetary crisis in the late 1990s.

Eddie came to the Attorney General?s office on Monday at 9 a.m. in the morning. He was questioned until 9 p.m. in the evening.

?I came (to Attorney General?s Office) so that the things which are not clear can become clear,? Eddie said.

Special assistant Attorney General for civil crimes Hendarman Supandji said PLN case has already reached the "level of investigation". He mentioned that he has to find the suspect in this case.

Recently, PLN said in a press statement that the bonus amount of Rp 4.3 billion to directors and commissioners was a reward for the management?s effort to cut PLN?s losses in 2003.

Meanwhile, Working Group on Power Strategic Restructuring?s coordinator Fabby Tumiwa welcomed the Attorney General?s office's move, saying that PLN's management did not deserve the bonus payment as PLN could slash its losses thanks to the government's helps, rather than the management's chievement.

"The government at that time raised electricity charges three times in one year. Automatically PLN?s income was jumped,? he said.(*)