Haryanto spared from awkward questions<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto
\nmade an appearance at the House of Representatives yesterday, his
\nfirst hearing since charges of misconduct were leveled against
\nhim in the media last month.<\/p>\n
But to the disappointment of at least two House members and a
\nhorde of journalists, the minister was spared by a House leader
\nfrom having to explain the allegations.<\/p>\n
\"The core of this hearing is to discuss the ministry's
\nspending plans for the 1996\/97 fiscal year. We should not stray
\nfrom that course,\" said Ahmadi, who presided over the Commission
\nV hearing.<\/p>\n
At least two commission members raised questions about the
\nallegations facing the minister.<\/p>\n
The allegations were made by Inspector General for Development
\nKentot Harseno in a classified memo to President Soeharto. Copies
\nof the memo were leaked to the media last month, prompting calls
\nfor an official investigation of the minister.<\/p>\n
However, Ahmadi, from the Golkar faction which dominates the
\nHouse, made it clear to fellow commission members that the
\nhearing yesterday would not touch on the subject at all.<\/p>\n
\"The case relating to the reports by the inspector general for
\ndevelopment will not be discussed in today's session,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He added that House members should take a cue from the
\nstatement made by Minister\/State Secretary Moerdiono, who said
\nthat President Soeharto considers the case closed.<\/p>\n
Moerdiono said that according to an investigation conducted by
\nVice President Try Sutrisno, Haryanto was guilty of using state
\nfunds for personal use but had since repaid all the funds.
\nMoerdiono said any other allegations of wrongdoings were
\nunfounded.<\/p>\n
\"We agree not to pursue the case further,\" Ahmadi said.<\/p>\n
Ahmadi made the remarks after taking a brief recess to discuss
\nwith other faction leaders if the minister should respond to
\nquestions on the subject raised by commission members.<\/p>\n
Two members, Marsinggih Marnadi of the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty and Sofyan Usman of United Development Party, provoked the
\nrecess after calling for a more thorough investigation.<\/p>\n
\"Despite the President's explanation, we want a clarification
\nof which allegations are wrong and which are true because this is
\nnot yet clear,\" Sofyan said.<\/p>\n
Marsinggih said he was disappointed with the decision to bar
\nhim from questioning the minister, but promised to pursue the
\nmatter in future hearings.<\/p>\n
Marsinggih also accused the minister yesterday of having
\nchanneled funds from the transportation ministry to finance
\nGolkar activities in the province of Jambi.<\/p>\n
Haryanto categorically denied the accusation. (pan)<\/p>\n
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