Pressure mounts against Akbar, Golkar in Bulog scam<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Public pressure has been increasing for the House of
\nRepresentatives to set up a special committee in charge of
\ninvestigating the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) scam involving
\nsome Rp 40 billion (US$4 million) allegedly perpetrated by Golkar
\nParty chairman and current House Speaker Akbar Tandjung.<\/p>\n
\"If the allegation is true, to the best of my knowledge, this
\nis the dirtiest example of money politics I've ever known,\"
\nTodung Mulya Lubis, one of the top lawyers in the country, said.<\/p>\n
\"This is too big to be neglected. There must be a special
\ncommittee (set up) to investigate this alleged scam,\" he told The
\nJakarta Post after participating in a workshop to discuss the
\npossible establishment of a constitutional commission.<\/p>\n
It could lead to the dissolution of Golkar if the allegation
\nis proven, he added.<\/p>\n
Todung explained that if former Bulog chairman Rahardi Ramelan
\nconfessed that he had handed over Rp 40 billion to Akbar, then it
\ndid not make sense that Tandjung then said he simply forgot which
\nfoundation he had channeled the money to.<\/p>\n
\"It is quite a great deal of money,\" he reiterated.<\/p>\n
In an earlier inquiry at the Attorney General's Office,
\nRahardi said that in addition to the Rp 40 billion he gave to
\nAkbar in 1999, another Rp 10 billion was given to former TNI
\nchief (ret.) Gen. Wiranto.<\/p>\n
Officials from Golkar did not intend to issue an official
\nclarification regarding those executive members alleged to have
\nbeen involved in the corruption case, according to Syamsul
\nMu'arif, the party's secretary-general.<\/p>\n
\"We will leave the case to the legal authorities and refrain
\nfrom making any political moves as it will just interfere with
\nthe current process,\" Syamsul, who is also minister of
\ncommunications and information, said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Teten Masduki of Indonesia Corruption Watch said
\nAkbar must quit his current post as the House speaker if the
\nauthorities officially decide to investigate his role in the
\nscam.<\/p>\n
Teten said Tandjung's statement, which confirmed that he
\nindeed received the money from Rahardi, can be used as the basis
\nto investigate him.<\/p>\n
\"The money which was supposed to be used to support the poor
\nwas misused for political purposes intended to help his party. He
\nmust have known about that matter,\" Teten said.<\/p>\n
Teten said that the National Election Commission needs to
\nthoroughly probe Golkar over these allegations.<\/p>\n
Existing Political Law No. 3\/1999 stipulates that a political
\nparty is allowed to receive donations of not more than Rp 150
\nmillion from a third party for its operation or campaign.<\/p>\n
\"Rp 40 billion is far beyond the law's limitation. Golkar can
\nbe dissolved for that,\" Teten said.<\/p>\n
Separately Wiranto said on Thursday that the alleged graft
\ncase was not related to the Ministry of Defense and Security as
\nan institution.<\/p>\n
\"The minister and the military chief did not directly accept
\nthe money. We have an accountability mechanism for the use and
\npossession of such funds,\" Wiranto said before meeting with Amien
\nRais, speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly.<\/p>\n
Wiranto said he and the officials at the ministry would
\ndisclose any information needed to shed more light on the case.<\/p>\n
\"In due time, of course, the defense ministry and the military
\ncommander will give their explanations on this matter,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pressure-mounts-against-akbar-golkar-in-bulog-scam-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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