SBY grills Minister of agriculture this scandal imported beef

Bagus BT Saragih, the Post of Jakarta, Jakarta | National | Wed, February 13 2013, 8: 50 PM

Agriculture Minister Suswono questioned president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono about a high-profile bribery case centering on the Government-run beef import rules in the Presidential Office on Wednesday.

"The Minister everything explained to the President, honestly and openly. The President of the case from the media had been and he would listen directly to the Minister, "presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said after the meeting.

Meanwhile, Suswono said he clarified to Yudhoyono that the meat import program.

' I submitted to President details about the import policy and all related regulations, "he said.

Suswono, who is also a senior Justice Party (PKS) prosperous politician, are involved in the case in which the corruption eradication Commission (KPK) PKS President Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq a suspect has called.

Other defendants include an Assistant Fathanah Luthfi, Ahmad, who was arrested by the KPK in a hotel room, shortly after he allegedly received a Rp 1 billion (US $ 103,700) bribe of Juard Effendi and Aria Abdi Effendi. Also these two directors of meat importer PT Indoguna Utama arrested by the KPK.

Suswono denied that his Ministry was engaged in illegal trade with Indoguna. "We had certain calculations to determine the import quotas allocated for each importer, based on their ability, experience and track record," he said.

Suswono also refuted allegations say he with Luthfi, as Chairman of his party, worked together to collude with his Ministry business partners.

"What happened to KPK Luthfi is already under the jurisdiction. Let the researchers treat his case. One thing is for sure, that it is impossible to affect my policy for Luthfi in the Ministry of agriculture, "he said.