Bulog scandal probe might hurt Golkar<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): United Development Party (PPP) faction chairman
\nat the House of Representatives Rusydi Hamka acknowledged on
\nMonday that the party's proposal for a special inquiry into the
\nRp 35 billion State Logistics Agency (Bulog) scandal might
\nblemish the Golkar Party.<\/p>\n
\"We ask that all of Bulog's nonbudgetary funds be revealed. We
\nwere told that it could blemish Golkar,\" Rusydi said.<\/p>\n
\"But that's okay. We have nothing to lose.\"<\/p>\n
He said the proposal for the inquiry, which was signed by 58
\nPPP legislators, was mainly aimed at investigating the recent
\nscandal.<\/p>\n
He added that the party was lobbying other parties for support
\nand claimed that the Reform faction had indicated it would
\nsupport the proposal.<\/p>\n
According to the current House regulation, an inquiry needs a
\nminimum of 10 signatures from legislators from at least two
\npolitical factions before it can officially be submitted for
\nconsideration before a plenary House session.<\/p>\n
If approved, the House will then set up a special inquiry team
\nto gather data on the scandal.<\/p>\n
The deputy chairman of House Commission III for agriculture
\nand food affairs, Wijanarko Poespoyo, claimed that Bulog's
\nnonbudgetary funds, worth some Rp 395 billion, was being used by
\nseveral businesspeople without proper accountability.<\/p>\n
At the commission's hearing earlier this month, Wijanarko who
\nis an Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)
\nlegislator, claimed that the funds were disbursed in the sum of
\nRp 35 billion to, among others, Alwin Arifin, son of former Bulog
\nchairman Bustanil Arifin, and another Rp 40 billion to Bustanil's
\nnephew, Jony Syarif.<\/p>\n
It has been suggested that Golkar used portions of Bulog's
\nfunds for its campaign during the 1999 general election.<\/p>\n
National Awakening Party (PKB) faction chairman Taufiqurrahman
\nSaleh said he personally supported the proposal for an inquiry.<\/p>\n
Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung said legislators have the
\nright to propose such an inquiry.<\/p>\n
\"The inquiry would be set up if the House's plenary session
\napproves it. It depends on the legislators,\" Akbar, who is also
\nthe House speaker, said on Monday.<\/p>\n
The Bulog scandal came to the fore after it was alleged that
\nPresident Abdurrahman Wahid's masseur, Suwondo, was able to
\nobtain the release of Rp 35 billion from a Bulog foundation from
\nSapuan, who was Bulog deputy chairman.<\/p>\n
Both Sapuan and Suwondo have been named suspects. The latter
\nis still at large. (jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bulog-scandal-probe-might-hurt-golkar-1447893297",
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