Angelina asks Permai group to make her donation

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | National | Thu, November 01 2012, 8:24 PM

A witness confirmed on Thursday that Democratic Party lawmaker Angelina Sondakh requested PT. Permai Group to donate Rp10 million (US$1,041) to Mount Merapi eruption victims on her behalf.

Former marketing staffer of PT Permai Group Clara Mauren said her former superior, marketing director Mindo Rosalina Manullang, ordered her to make the payment.

“Please donate Rp 10 million to Mount Merapi victims on Angelina Sondakh's behalf,” Clara reiterated Rosa's order at a hearing at the Corruption Court on Thursday.

Clara's statement supports the prosecutors’ indictment, saying that Angelina requested money to the firm to help Merapi victims, because Central Java was her constituency.

“Please help the Merapi victims Mrs. Rosa. You can give milk or cash that I will use to buy some goods there. Just give me 10 million, I'll cover it first,” Angelina told Rosa via Blackberry message as stated in the indictment.

The company’s courier Harsono transferred the money to Angelina's staffer Lindina Wulandari's bank account on Nov. 15, 2010, the indictment says.

Angelina stands trial for allegedly taking a total of Rp 34.90 billion (US$3.6 million) in kickbacks from Permai Group -a holding company belonging to former Democratic Party treasurer Muhammad Nazaruddin (convicted in separate graft case) - in exchange for projects run by the Youth and Sports Ministry (the construction of athletes’ village for last year’s SEA Games in Palembang, South Sumatra) and the Education and Culture Ministry (projects in 16 state universities).

Angelina, who was a coordinator of the budgetary committee at House of Representatives Commission X education, culture and sports, arranged the budget in accordance with the company’s plan.(cor/iwa)