Another firm complains tender at Unocal

Another East Kalimantan firm PT Era Supplindo Iternusa filed a complaint to the local Balikpapan chamber of commerce and industry (Kadin) against oil and gas firm Unocal Indonesia Company for the lack of transparency in the recent tender process to appoint a supplier for its chemical needs.

The local Kaltim Post daily quoted Era president Chairuddin as saying that Kadin must take follow up action to amend the unhealthy business practices within Unocal.

Chairuddin also said that 70-80 percent of the supplying business in Unocal was being controlled by Bob Hasan, a Jakarta-based business tycoon and a close friend of former authoritarian president Soeharto.

He pointed out on six companies belonging to Bob Hasan suppling various commodities and services to Unocal. The companies are PT Santi Fajar Agung, PT Santi Fajar Abadi, PT Fajar Mas Murni, PT Fajar Mas Semesta, PT Fajar Rawayan Sejati, and PT Fajar Rawayan Mulia.

A Balikpapan-based supplier called PT Superimex Wahana Tama had earlier protested the tender process at Unocal for being lack of transparency. Superimex said that Unocal must annul its earlier decision to give the contract to PT Fajar Mas Semesta to supply oil and gas company its low toxic base mud. (*)