Legislators waffle on inquiry into Akbar<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Unlike tiny parties which have little to lose, the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) remains cautious on
\nthe establishment of a House of Representatives (DPR) inquiry
\nteam to investigate Speaker Akbar Tandjung's role in a corruption
\nscam.<\/p>\n
Akbar, also chairman of Golkar, was declared a suspect in a Rp
\n40 billion scandal involving the State Logistics Agency (Bulog)
\nin early January. The Attorney General's Office has questioned
\nhim twice since and will do so again on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\"Most PDI Perjuangan members are praying for the establishment
\nof an inquiry team,\" PDI Perjuangan faction chairman Roy B.B.
\nJanis said after meeting with his party.<\/p>\n
DPR members will gather for a plenary meeting on Thursday to
\ndecide whether or not to establish an inquiry team to probe
\nAkbar's Bulog role.<\/p>\n
A reliable party source told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday that
\nall but one PDI Perjuangan legislator supported the creation of a
\nDPR probe.<\/p>\n
PDI Perjuangan, the biggest faction with 153 seats in the
\nHouse, is believed to be weighing the political cost if it goes
\nfor or against a probe, which could destroy Akbar's career and
\nthreaten Golkar's very existence.<\/p>\n
However, supporting the inquiry team may mean losing Golkar's
\nsupport of Megawati, who was installed last July with the support
\nof an anti-Gus Dur coalition that included Golkar.<\/p>\n
Golkar, the second biggest faction in the DPR with 120 seats,
\nhelped push Megawati into the State Palace. It already threatened
\nto withdraw its support for Megawati when PDI Perjuangan pressed
\nfor Akbar's resignation last January.<\/p>\n
Yet, opposing the establishment of such a probe would greatly
\nundermine Megawati's promises to eradicate corruption, further
\neroding her rapidly diminishing legitimacy.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, other parties, led by PKB, have vowed to fight for
\nan inquiry of Akbar.<\/p>\n
PKB faction chairman Ali Masykur Musa said Tuesday that the
\nmeeting on Thursday could be an uphill battle.<\/p>\n
As of Tuesday, only two small factions with only 17 voters
\nhave agreed to completely back a probe.<\/p>\n
But, Ali Masykur still believes more will support the probe
\ncome Thursday.<\/p>\n
\"We may get 65 percent of the 500 legislators,\" he added.<\/p>\n
PKB leaders instructed all members of its faction to support
\nthe probe.<\/p>\n
\"The faction members have also been urged to lobby other
\nfactions for support,\" deputy chairman of PKB Mahfud MD said.<\/p>\n
Mahfud claimed that the PKB faction would not fight in vain.<\/p>\n
\"Even if we lose the battle, at least people will see that we
\nfought for them,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a member of Reform faction, Patrialis Akbar said
\nthat members of his faction would support the inquiry.<\/p>\n
\"It was decided in the meeting that we must support it,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The establishment of the special committee would assure that
\nthe legal process in the case was transparent.<\/p>\n
\"So far, the legal process is not transparent, therefore we
\nhope a committee will be,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/legislators-waffle-on-inquiry-into-akbar-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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