Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Former upstream oil and gas regulator chief and graft suspect, Rudi Rubiandini, testified before the anti-graft body pertaining to the alleged involvement of former energy mineral resources secretary general Waryono Karno in a graft case.

"I have just been questioned as a witness in the case against Pak (Mr) Waryono," Rudi stated at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) building here on Wednesday.

Rudi noted that the report on the investigation of the Waryono case was the same as that given to him by the KPK during his questioning some time ago.

"But, the content is similar to the old report on the investigation of my case when Pak Waryono acted as witness (in my case). So, there is nothing new. The development stays the same," he pointed out.

The KPK also questioned Rudis golf trainer, Deviardi, as a witness in the case against Waryono on Wednesday.

Waryono reportedly contacted Rudi to offer a sum of money as "holiday bonuses" for the members of the House Commission VII overseeing the energy and mineral resources sector. The bonuses are believed to have eased the deliberation of the energy and mineral resources ministrys budget at the House.

The KPK named Waryono as a suspect after intensifying its investigations in a bribery case involving former chief of the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Special Task Force (SKK Migas) Rudi Rubiandini.

Rudi was named as a suspect for allegedly accepting a bribe of US$400 thousand from the commissioner of PT Kernel Oil Private Limited, SGT, through his golf trainer.

He was arrested at his house in Jl, Brawijaya, South Jakarta, on Aug. 13. Later, the KPK also named Rudi as a suspect in the money-laundering case.

Following the arrest of the former SKK Migas chief, the KPK officers conducted searches in a number of places, including the office of the secretary general of the ministry, from whom they seized US$200 thousand.

Waryono has already been questioned on at least five occasions, as a witness in the case. He was questioned about the money handed over to Rudi.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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