Markus Junianto Sihaloho & Arientha Primanita – Claims that Indonesian lawmakers attempted back-room shakedowns of state-owned enterprises during deliberations of the 2013 state budget have some politicians demanding the State-Owned Enterprises Minister name names.

Dahlan sent Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam a text message last week warning that some lawmakers had asked state-owned companies for payouts before approving the 2013 state budget on Tuesday.

In the text, Dahlan declined to name specific House of Representatives members. But Democratic Party lawmaker Saan Mustopa demanded that Dahlan release the names of the accused.

"Pak Dahlan Iskan, if you would please mention the names of the lawmakers," Saan said. "We don't want anyone to be defamed here, there should be no delegitimizing of one another between the executive and the legislature."

Dahlan told lawmakers that he would clarify his statement if he is called before the House. "If they summon me, then I will come," he said.

But House Speaker Marzuki Alie called the claim an offense and warned the minister to be careful when issuing statements.

"This offends us," Marzuki said. "He should be careful when talking. I wouldn't get mad if he only talked about a person or two, but he shouldn't immediately attribute [the request] to all lawmakers."

Dahlan said he sent the text to Dipo in response to a statement released by the cabinet secretary on Sept. 28 urging government officials to not engage in back-room deals when deliberating the state budget.

"For the success of the development during the remaining tenure of [this cabinet], we... ask all ministers... to prevent back-room deals with members of the House or regional legislative councils," the statement read.

Dahlan applauded the heads of state-owned businesses for refusing to hand over any money.

"I am proud that the president directors of state-owned enterprises have successfully managed to evade all of those requests [for money]," he said. (BeritaSatu, JG & Antara)