Legislators disappointed over convicted Akbar's Vietnam trip<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The nation's dignity is at stake as disgraced Akbar Tandjung has
\ninsisted on leading an Indonesian delegation of legislators to
\nthe International Parliamentary Union (IPU) conference in Hanoi,
\nlegislators have said.<\/p>\n
Bringing with him the newly acquired status of a convicted
\ncriminal, House of Representatives Speaker Akbar will receive the
\nIPU ex-officio chairmanship on behalf of the legislatures of
\nSoutheast Asian countries in Hanoi, as Indonesia will host the
\nmeeting next year.<\/p>\n
\"The House is a symbol of our nation, it just doesn't feel
\nright to have Akbar there representing us,\" said Ali Masykur Musa
\nof the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Despite his legal status, he will be free to go, as neither
\nthe Attorney General's Office nor the judges who sentenced him to
\nthree years in jail for corruption have imposed a travel ban.<\/p>\n
In comparison, Bank Indonesia Governor Sjahril Sabirin was
\nbarred from traveling overseas following his sentencing to two
\nyears for graft earlier this year. The Jakarta High Court
\nacquitted him of all charges last month.<\/p>\n
Akbar looks set to depart on Sunday with his head held high as
\nhe secured the full support of Golkar chapters across the country
\nduring a party plenary meeting that concluded in the small hours
\nof Saturday morning.<\/p>\n
House secretary-general Siti Nurhajati Daud confirmed on
\nSaturday there were no changes to Akbar's travel plans.<\/p>\n
Akbar was found guilty of embezzling Rp 40 billion (about
\nUS$4.5 million) in state funds. He pleaded not guilty and remains
\nfree, pending his appeal, refusing to step down from his post as
\nHouse speaker and chairman of the Golkar Party.<\/p>\n
Legislators have urged Akbar to relinquish his speakership
\nwhile also asking him not to leave for Hanoi.<\/p>\n
\"The public is asking whether Akbar is suitable to represent
\nthis country,\" said Imam Addaruqutni of the Reform faction.<\/p>\n
He was confident though that IPU would not raise the issue of
\nAkbar's legal status during the meeting.<\/p>\n
\"If it's possible to replace him without causing inconvenience
\nto the host (Vietnam) then it's better that way,\" said legislator
\nAhmad Chozin Chumaidy of House Commission II, which oversees
\nlegal affairs. Ahmad hails from the United National Development
\nParty (PPP) faction, the third-largest in the House.<\/p>\n
\"It's a tricky problem, as this kind of meeting requires a
\nHouse speaker,\" Ahmad said.<\/p>\n
Legislator Paulus Widiyanto of the Indonesian Democratic Party
\nof Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) agreed that Akbar faced a difficult
\nchoice but might go anyway as Indonesia would be hosting next
\nyear's meeting. \"There is no (House) ruling that bans Akbar from
\nleaving.\"<\/p>\n
Siti said Akbar would be staying in Hanoi until Sept. 11, on
\nwhich day Akbar, representing Indonesia, would receive the IPU
\nchairmanship for the region. The conference runs from Sept. 8
\nthrough Sept. 12.<\/p>\n
The IPU, she said, gathered annually to discuss political and
\neconomic matters and lately, more intensively, human rights
\nissues. \"There's a wide range of topics that don't necessarily
\nhave anything to do with interparliamentary cooperation but can
\nconcern the state of affairs of each member country,\" she said.<\/p>\n
However, sending a convicted corruptor to Hanoi would be
\ninappropriate, said legal expert Harkristuti Harkrisnowo of the
\nUniversity of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Akbar's lawyer Amir Syamsuddin was quoted by Antara as saying
\nthat Akbar was not yet a convicted corruptor until the final
\nverdict.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Golkar members, who gathered on Friday to decide
\nAkbar's fate, Amir said a person became a convicted criminal only
\nafter a final court decision. Wednesday's verdict by a lower
\ncourt was not final, he said.<\/p>\n
But Harkristuti insisted Akbar was a convicted criminal.<\/p>\n
\"The case may have been appealed but the verdict has been
\ndelivered, and the appeal doesn't change his status,\" Harkristuti
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
She added the Criminal Code allowed judges to exercise their
\nown discretion on whether to jail someone immediately after a
\nverdict or defer the sentence pending an appeal.<\/p>\n
According to her, Akbar should stand back from his position as
\nHouse speaker until the outcome of the appeal. \"What's stopping
\nhim but pride?\" she observed.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/legislators-disappointed-over-convicted-akbars-vietnam-trip-1447893297",
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