Legislators propose inquiry into Bulog, Brunei scandals<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Legislators from four major factions submitted a
\nproposal on Wednesday for an inquiry into the Rp 35 billion State
\nLogistics Agency (Bulog) scandal and the confusion surrounding a
\nUS$2 million donation from Brunei.<\/p>\n
The proposal, signed by 237 legislators was submitted by
\nRusydi Hamka, chairman of the United Development Party's faction
\nin the House of Representatives, to House Speaker Akbar Tandjung<\/p>\n
\"For reasons of efficiency we decided to unite 'Bulogate' and
\n'Bruneigate' in one inquiry,\" Rusjdi said of the two scandals
\nplaguing the government.<\/p>\n
Rusjdi was accompanied by Ade Komarudin from the Golkar Party,
\nZulvan Lindan from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
\n(PDI Perjuangan) and Alvin Lie from the Reform faction.<\/p>\n
Akbar supported the proposal, saying that it is a part of the
\nHouse's duties to control the government.<\/p>\n
\"We will soon submit the proposal to the House consultative
\nbody,\" Akbar, who is also Golkar chairman, said.<\/p>\n
Based on the House's internal procedures, it is the
\nconsultative body which decides when the proposal will be
\ndiscussed and decided upon at a House plenary session.<\/p>\n
If the plenary session accepts the proposal, the House will
\nthen set up a special commission of inquiry to investigate the
\ntwo cases.<\/p>\n
In the Bulog scandal, police so far have detained former Bulog
\ndeputy chief Sapuan as a suspect while President Abdurrahman
\nWahid's masseur Suwondo, who is believed to have received the
\nfunds from Sapuan, is still at large.<\/p>\n
Sapuan claims that he released the funds from a Bulog
\nfoundation because he believed Suwondo was acting on behalf of
\nthe President who was to use the money for Aceh relief aid.<\/p>\n
The second case involves Abdurrahman Wahid's acceptance of a
\ndonation from the Sultan of Brunei for Aceh aid which was not
\nincluded in the state funds by the President as he claimed it was
\na personal donation.<\/p>\n
Rusydi on Wednesday said the investigation should not be
\nlimited to the Rp 35 billion in question but should rather cover
\nall of Bulog's non-budgetary funds.<\/p>\n
There have been suggestions that the scandal could also hurt
\nthe Golkar Party.<\/p>\n
House Commission III for agriculture and food affairs earlier
\nrevealed that Bulog's non-budgetary funds, worth some Rp 395
\nbillion, were being used by several businesspeople without being
\nproperly accounted for.<\/p>\n
A sum of Rp 35 billion was disbursed to, among others, Alvin
\nArifin, son of former Bulog chairman Bustanil Arifin, and another
\nRp 40 billion to Bustanil's nephew, Jony Syarif.<\/p>\n
Rusydi also denied that the proposal was submitted in reprisal
\nfor a possible inquiry by the National Awakening Party (PKB) into
\na brewing scandal over the Civil Servant Housing Savings' Scheme
\n(Taperum) which allegedly involves Akbar.<\/p>\n
Separately, PKB legislator Rodjil Gufron supported on
\nWednesday the proposed inquiry into the Bulog scandal.<\/p>\n
\"But it also has to investigate all of Bulog's non-budgetary
\nfunds,\" Rodjil, who is a member of House Commission II for
\ndomestic and legal affairs, said.<\/p>\n
On the Taperum scandal, he said his faction has yet decide
\nwhether to propose that the House set up an inquiry team.<\/p>\n
But he said the PKB is urging the police and the Attorney
\nGeneral's Office to investigate Akbar who was Taperum's chief
\nand state minister of public housing between 1993 and 1998 for
\nalleged misuse of funds worth Rp 179.9 billion.<\/p>\n
\"The President has been questioned by police about the Bulog
\ncase, so Akbar should not refuse to be questioned by police over
\nthe Taperum case,\" Rodjil remarked. (jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/legislators-propose-inquiry-into-bulog-brunei-scandals-1447893297",
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