Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Public Works and Housing Minister, Basuki Hadimuljono, said private contractors are involved in more than 70 percent of national strategic projects especially road infrastructure projects.

The Minister was denying critics by the Indonesian Federation of Construction companies (Gapensi).

"No it is not true. You must be surprised if I give the data. There are many, more than 70 percent in road projects," Hadimuljono said after he was summoned by Vice President Jusuf Kalla to clarify the Gapensi's complaints.

The private sector is also involved in drinking water supply projects although none in dam projects, he added.

Earlier in the day Gapensi asked the government to involve more private contractors in its massive infrastructure projects.

Gapensi's general secretary Andi Rukman Karumpa said state construction companies monopolize all government's infrastructure projects, which are valued almost Rp6,000 trillion.

Only 1 percent of national strategic projects are given to the private sector, Karumpa said after a meeting with Kalla here earlier on Monday.

The government's infrastructure projects belong to 16 national strategic projects, and they are all big and all are awarded to state companies, he said.

He --who also come from South Sulawesi as well as Kalla-- cited the Trans Sumatra toll road from the southern tip and northern end of Sumatra, which is valued tens of trillions of rupiah is also monopolized by state companies.

Basuki said state companies have small share of the jobs even if the projects are valued more than Rp100 billion each, adding private companies are dominant. "In all Bina Marga road and bridge projects, state companies projects have very little role," he said.

Reporter: ANTARA
Editor: Ade P Marboen
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