"We also have to be introspective."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian State-owned Enterprise (SOE) Minister Dahlan Iskan said on Monday that state firms had served as a "nest" for corrupt officials and must be cleaned of them.

"I have reported to the House of Representatives about alleged cases of extortion of state companies by lawmakers, but I have to admit that there are also plenty of corrupt officials at state firms," Minister Dahlan Iskan said here on Monday.

Dahlan made his remarks at a meeting with the chairman of the House of Representatives (DPR)`s Council of Ethics to report on the alleged extortion of state-owned companies by lawmakers.

He further said he had only reported two lawmakers to the House Ethics Council, though he acknowledged there were many corrupt officials in state-owned enterprises.

"I come to the House Ethics Council to report instances of attempted extortion by certain lawmakers, but I admit we also have to be introspective, since state companies must also be cleaned of corrupt officials," Iskan said.

He noted that his main priority was to put in order state companies. "But I come to the House to report the alleged attempt to extort state-owned money from lawmakers because I was summoned by the ethics council," he said.

The minister added that he did not want others to consider that he was willing to clean the House, even as his own state firms also employ many corrupt officials.

Dahlan Iskan fulfilled his promise on Monday, revealing the names to the House of Representatives` (DPR) Ethic Council of legislators who have extorted money from state-owned companies.

However, he did not reveal all the names of those who are allegedly involved in the case, saying that he had only reported two names, along with three cases, that have been supported by evidence.

Dahlan earlier said there were about 10 legislators who had attempted to extort state-owned companies. Meanwhile, SMS text messages have listed the initials of 18 names.

"Now, let the state-owned companies` boards of directors report them to the DPR`s Ethic Council (BK), the State Audit Board (BPK) or the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)," Dahlan added.

Dahlan, who oversees 141 state-owned companies, arrived at the DPR at 9.30am, one hour earlier than scheduled.
(A014/INE/KR-BSR/H-YH)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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