PLN chief named suspect for graft allegation

Police have named Eddie Widiono, the chief of state-owned power firm PT PLN, a suspect in a corruption case involving two power plant projects in South Sumatra and West Java, Antara reported.

National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Anton Bachrul Alam said police sent a summons to Eddie on April 18 asking him to appear for questioning as a suspect in the case.

"We will summon (him) again after he returns from China," Anton was quoted by Antara as saying.

Police said state losses from markups in the steam-powered plant project in Palembang, South Sumatra, reached some Rp 122 billion (US$13.56 million). Police did not provide an estimate for state losses in the project in Bekasi, West Java.

Sr. Comr. Bambang B. Kuncoro said the decision to name Eddie a suspect was based on contracts from the two projects and the answers Eddie provided authorities when he was questioned as a witness in the case. (*)