Akbar in detention<\/p>\n
That the detention on Thursday of Akbar Tandjung, speaker of
\nthe House of Representatives and chairman of the Golkar Party,
\nelicited such raw skepticism from the public of the government's
\ntrue intentions, speaks volumes about the current psyche of the
\nIndonesian people.<\/p>\n
After all, ever since the movement for democratic reform got
\ngoing in 1998 and views could be aired freely, Indonesians have
\nbeen clamoring for justice -- and especially for the corrupt.<\/p>\n
Akbar's detention could have been interpreted as a logical
\ndevelopment, coming as it did so quickly on the heels of the
\ndetention of Rahardi Ramelan, the former head of the national
\nlogistics agency, Bulog, in connection with the same case.<\/p>\n
The scandal involved suspected the misapplication of tens of
\nbillions of rupiah, dispensed at Rahardi's controversial orders.<\/p>\n
At present, Akbar, who was minister\/state secretary under
\npresident B.J. Habibie, is alleged to have misused Rp 40 billion
\nof that money -- intended for the distribution of food packages
\nto the poor. But investigators have been unable to trace the
\nmoney to any kind of food distribution.<\/p>\n
Also detained on Thursday was Dadang Sukandar, chairman of the
\nRaudatul Jannah Foundation, which Akbar had picked to administer
\nthe program, along with project contractor Winfried Simatupang.<\/p>\n
On the surface, it seems as if everything has gone according
\nto the rules of the game. However, questions start to emerge when
\none considers the political implications of Akbar's detention.<\/p>\n
After all, Akbar, besides being the speaker of the House of
\nRepresentatives, is also chairman of Golkar. His party has the
\nsecond-largest faction in the legislature, and is a major backer
\nof President Megawati Soekarnoputri's government.<\/p>\n
There can be no doubt at all that the threats Golkar leaders
\nhave been making that the party might withdraw that backing and
\npull out of the cabinet in case Akbar was arrested has been heard
\nclearly in the meeting rooms of Megawati's party, the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).<\/p>\n
The same goes for the United Development Party (PPP), whose
\nchairman is Vice President Hamzah Haz.<\/p>\n
It is for these fears, analysts believe, that the two parties
\nhave been stalling in the formation of a special parliamentary
\ncommittee to investigate the suspected scam, known as Bulogate
\nII.<\/p>\n
Keeping Akbar in custody, at least for the time being, could
\nhelp them keep up the appearance of being true reformist parties
\ngoing all the way to stamp out corruption, while evading an
\nimmediate decision on investigating the case in the legislature.<\/p>\n
For all parties involved, however, there are political risks
\nas well as opportunities to consider in handling this
\nincreasingly complex case.<\/p>\n
Megawati's party, the PDI Perjuangan and the PPP could lose
\nGolkar's support, both in government and in the national
\nlegislature, if they persist in unraveling the Bulogate II case
\nto its roots, as the public would like to see.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, staying resolute and proving to their
\nconstituents that they are serious about eradicating corruption
\ncould enhance their image as reformist parties.<\/p>\n
To achieve this, however, President Megawati must reach out to
\nthe Indonesian public, and explain her moves and motivations
\nconcerning the matter.<\/p>\n
As for Golkar, it is doubtful that this party's stubborn
\nopposition, and even rejection of Akbar's detention, will do the
\nparty any good in the longer term -- say, in the 2004 general
\nelections.<\/p>\n
Nor can it say, for certain, that withdrawing from the cabinet
\nwould not weaken its chances in the coming elections. Rather than
\nresisting and making all kinds of threats, the party would do
\nmuch better by using this touchy situation to institute the badly
\nneeded reforms.<\/p>\n
Finally, to Akbar's credit, it must be said that he seems to
\nbe complying with the law.<\/p>\n
As one of his confidants, Hafiz Zawawi, explained it to press,
\n\"Akbar has complied with the law, and has asked his party
\nexecutives to follow the law in their legal efforts, and refrain
\nfrom tarnishing the party's image.\"<\/p>\n
Sounds sensible enough. Let's hope that his advice is heeded
\nby his fellow Golkar members.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/akbar-in-detention-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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