It's never simple<\/p>\n
Nothing is as simple as it seems, especially in Indonesian
\npolitics. The procurement of Russian jet fighters and helicopters
\nby the government was supposed to have been a simple and
\nstraightforward affair. But the House of Representatives, and a
\nhost of other interested parties, including the mainstream media
\nhungry for political scandals, have decided differently.<\/p>\n
With the nation preparing for general elections and
\npresidential elections in 2004, one can sense that this affair
\nhas been politicized, and will be even more so in the coming
\nmonths. Commission I of the House decided last week to launch an
\ninvestigation into the procurement, setting the stage for a
\ndrawn-out and possibly bloody affair.<\/p>\n
Where this is leading us to is anybody's guess.<\/p>\n
But since Bulog, the state logistics agency, is also
\nimplicated in this affair, we can turn to earlier Bulog-related
\nscandals for possible answers. Buloggate I cost Abdurrahman
\nWahid, whom Megawati Soekarnoputri replaced in 2001, his
\npresidency. Buloggate II is now costing House Speaker Akbar
\nTandjung his political future, including his bid for the
\npresidency, although not (yet) his job.<\/p>\n
This time around, the nation's political pundits prefer to
\nsettle for the more exotic term \"Sukhoigate\", named after the
\nRussian state-of-the-art jet fighter, instead of going for
\nBuloggate III. But the target is clear: President Megawati
\nherself, or failing that, those close around her.<\/p>\n
Sukhoigate started with President Megawati's decision to buy
\nfour Sukhoi planes and two military helicopters during her state
\nvisit to Russia in April.<\/p>\n
Few people had questioned then about the need to buy these
\nplanes or the choice of Russian military technology. The nation's
\nair force's equipment is already in an appalling state to the
\npoint that we have compromised our air defense capability. The
\ngovernment does not have the budget to fully modernize the air
\nforce, but we could at least start with four, if only to keep
\nourselves up with technological changes. And Russia was chosen
\nbecause our traditional supplier, the United States, has imposed
\nan embargo on all sales of military hardware.<\/p>\n
With the government stretched for money, Megawati did well in
\nsecuring a barter deal for the six aircraft, worth $193 million,
\nin exchange for 30 Indonesian commodities and products.<\/p>\n
Bulog was brought in because of its expertise in gathering the
\nproducts. And Bulog, upon a request from the Ministry of Trade
\nand Industry, asked state-run Bank Bukopin to pay $26 million to
\nthe Russian handling agent, Rosoboronexport, as a down payment.<\/p>\n
This sounds simple enough, or at least nobody questioned the
\ndeal even when she returned home from Russia. That is, until the
\nHouse recently learned of at least two flaws in the deal, thanks
\nto revelations by Megawati's own Cabinet members.<\/p>\n
First, Minister of Finance Boediono refused to repay the $26
\nmillion to Bank Bukopin without the House's approval. Further
\ndisbursement for the payment of the deal could not be made
\nwithout the House's consent either, he said. Essentially, the
\npurchase of the Russian aircraft is a government spending, and
\nthis particular item is not part of the 2003 Budget approved by
\nthe House before January.<\/p>\n
Second, Minister of Defense Matori Abdul Djalil stated that he
\nwas never brought into the discussions to buy the Russian planes.
\nThis according to the House, is in violation of the law that
\nstates that the Minister of Defense is the official responsible
\nfor the procurement of all military equipment.<\/p>\n
It is unclear why the two ministers went public with this
\ninformation that essentially undermined the authority of their
\nown bosses. What is clear is that President Megawati had clearly
\nviolated several procedures in purchasing the planes.<\/p>\n
But nothing is ever simple in Indonesian politics. The affair
\nhas triggered speculation that there is a lot more to it than
\nmeets the eye. There has been speculation that this campaign was
\nlaunched by local politicians serving the interests of the United
\nStates; there is speculation that some people are reaping
\nfinancial profits from this deal; there is also speculation that
\nthe House investigation is intended to bring down the Megawati
\npresidency.<\/p>\n
Having gone through successive political scandals, including
\ntwo Buloggates, this nation is now in for another one that
\npromises to be no less interesting. It is interesting not only
\nbecause of the players involved and the possible international
\nimplications, but also because of the ability of our politicians
\nto make simple things complicated.<\/p>\n
The actions of our elected politicians are beyond the control
\nof the electorate. If they have chosen this investigation to be
\ntheir next preoccupation over other more important matters, then,
\nthat is their choice. Like it or not, this investigation will
\nproceed and will consume the time and resources of our
\npoliticians, political pundits and the media. We may as well sit
\nback and enjoy this new political comedy brought before us.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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