FORESTRY MINISTER QUESTIONED OVER PROTECTED FOREST CONVERSION

Jakarta, Oct 20 (ANTARA) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Monday questioned Forestry Minister MS Kaban in connection with a graft case in the conversion of a protected forest in South Sumatra province.

Kaban who arrived at the KPK building at 10.00 a.m. said he came to the office to give his testimonies in the case.
KPK spokesman Johan Budi confirmed that the questioning had been put on the agenda of the commission's investigating team.
"He (the minister) was questioned as a witness," Johan said when contacted by mobile phone.
The anti-graft body has named three people suspects in the alleged graft case over the conversion of protected forest to make way for the development of Tanjung Apiapi port in South Sumatra.
The three are former chairman of the House Commission IV Yusuf E. Faisal, member of the House Commission IV Sarjan Tahir and businessman Chandra Antonio Tan.
The commission alleged that a number of lawmakers had received a bribe of Rp5 billion to get the conversion of the protected forest done.
The KPK also had several times questioned former South Sumatra governor Syahrial Oesman for his alleged part in the case.
Syahrial is believed to have bribed a number of lawmakers.