TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The tender for the purchase of 656 Transjakarta buses from China turned out to be quite problematic. Michael Bimo Putranto, a member of the campaign team during his bid for the Jakarta governorship in 2012, is reported to have been 'played around' with this project. Jokowi-as the governor is familiarly known-claims to be ignorant of the businessman's affairs, although he did admit to knowing him. The following are excerpts of an interview he gave to Tempo reporters Maria Rita Hasugian and Jobpie Sugiharto, two weeks ago at the City Hall.
Is it true you have a special relationship with Michael Bimo Putranto?
Many people say he is close to me. Those who ask for projects also claim to be close to me. I have stressed at office meetings: don't ever use my name. I have said this to my relatives, my friends and members of the campaign team. It's unlikely for me to follow what people do, one by one. There are many of them.
Do you know him well?
Yes, I know him. If I said I didn't know him, that would be strange, since I do know him. But I certainly don't know what he does, day in and day out.
Was he part of your campaign team?
No. But ask Pak Boy Sadikin (Jokowi's former campaign manager during the 2012 Jakarta gubernatorial election). Don't ask me, that wouldn't be fair.
Is it true you did not dismiss Transportation Chief Udar Pristono in February 2013 because of his close relationship with Bimo?
No, no. Should I dismiss someone for not having been evaluated? What do people work for? To be evaluated, right?
He brought along some people to meet you.
That's normal. There are hundreds of people like that, who'll say, this person is good, that one is good too. I'm open to meeting anyone.
What are you doing to prevent something like this from happening again?
How to prevent what? Anyone can claim to be close to me. It happens in small villages, it happens here. Should I refuse to have my picture taken with them? Everyone asks for that, then they go and 'sell' the photograph by saying: look, I'm close to Jokowi.
Do you feel there's been a problem in the Transjakarta bus bidding
I feel there is a problem, which is why I fired Udar Pristono. Secondly, so far, we still haven't got those goods.
When should they have arrived?
I'm waiting for the report of the inspectors and the BPKP (Finance Development Controller). I don't want to be mistaken.
Shouldn't the Jakarta inspectors have finished their work?
I don't think so because they must be accompanied by the BPKP people. The inspectors only look at the procedures, while I need more than that. I need to know whether the goods have been tendered properly. If I convey the inspectors' audit to the public, that wouldn't be good either. I have forwarded the inspectors' report to the BPKP. (*)
Read the complete interview in this week's edition of Tempo English Magazine.
