Much Ado over Alleged Gratuities

It is rare to find anyone at the State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) minister's official residence in South Jakarta. Normally, SOE Minister Rini Soemarno will stop by the house only about once a month. "On Wednesday last week, some 15 wives of government officials visited the house," said Andi, the house security guard, at the Widya Chandra housing complex.

The house has come under the public spotlight after Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician Masinton Pasaribu filed a report with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on alleged gratuities carried out by Pelindo II CEO Richard Joost Lino. As evidence, Masinton produced an official note from Pelindo II to its subsidiary, Pelabuhan Tanjung Priok, dated March 16, regarding a transfer of Rp200 million for the procurement of goods for Minister Rini's official residence.The note, a copy of which was obtained by Tempo, indicates that the money was spent on one long sofa worth Rp35 million, two small sofas worth Rp25 million and a set of office equipment worth Rp59 million. In addition, there was also the purchase of a Rp10 million sofa table plus six dining-room table seats, priced at Rp3.5 million each.