We are shocked to hear the news of Rudi`s arrest..."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has arrested Rudi Rubiandini, head of the Upstream Oil and Gas Special Working Unit (SKK Migas), on graft charges, without notifying President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the president`s spokesman said.
"As of Wednesday morning, President Yudhoyono has not received any reports from the energy and mineral resources minister regarding the arrest of Rudi Rubiandini," presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha noted here on Wednesday.
SKK Migas spokesman Elan Biantoro pointed out that Rudi had been grilled by the KPK from 10 p.m. on Tuesday until dawn on Wednesday.
"We are shocked to hear the news of Rudi`s arrest because he is known as an honest and fair person with great integrity," Elan stated, adding that he has known Rudi since their schooldays.
He noted that he could not offer any further information on the arrest beyond what was already being reported by television news channels.
This morning, two TV stations broadcast telephone interviews with KPK spokesman Johan Budi on the circumstances of Rudi`s arrest on Tuesday night.
Rudi, formerly a deputy minister for energy and mineral resources, who was named head of SKK Migas earlier this year, was arrested after being caught red-handed receiving bribe money at his house in Jakarta, Johan Budi said.
Rudi was taken into custody along with two other men, officials of foreign oil company Kernel Oil, who are suspected of offering the bribe of US$700,000.
The suspects have been detained at the KPK office for questioning to determine their level of involvement in the graft case, Johan Budi told the local television media.
He said the KPK had moved in on Rudi that night upon receiving a report of suspicious dealings by the company a few days earlier.
Elan noted that Kernel Oil was not an oil-rig operator; therefore, it has no direct business dealings with SKK Migas.
SKK Migas` secretary, Gde Pradnyana, refused to comment beyond expressing disbelief, saying the agency would continue to operate normally, despite Rudi`s absence.
"We cannot comment. We are shocked, but we will continue to work normally," Pradnyana stated.
(Uu.O001/INE/KR-BSR)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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