TNI approves joint probe into Ginandjar<\/p>\n
One of the fattest cats suspected of corruption has taken
\nanother hit as the legal noose tightens once again around one of
\nGolkar's top leaders and current Deputy Speaker of the People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPR) Ginandjar Kartasasmita.<\/p>\n
Ginandjar, who is currently in Thailand and free to go about
\nhis business as one of the country's highest leaders, may soon
\nface the music for his alleged corruption following the issuance
\nof an Armed Forces (TNI) Commander's decree to set up a joint
\ncivilian-military investigation to try his case.<\/p>\n
\"Ginandjar's corruption case has to be tried soon,\" chief
\nlawyer of TNI Maj. Gen. Timor P. Manurung told The Jakarta Post
\non Monday.<\/p>\n
Almost two months have passed since the attorney general ruled
\nthat the detention of the former minister of energy and mineral
\nresources was lawful.<\/p>\n
The retired three-star Air Force Marshall had been declared a
\ngraft suspect in connection with a technical assistance contract
\nhe endorsed between privately-run PT Ultraindo Petro Gas and
\nstate-owned oil company Pertamina which caused US$24.8 million
\nlosses to the state from 1992 to 1995.<\/p>\n
Ginandjar was detained by the Attorney General's Office in
\nApril 2001 but was released by the South Jakarta District Court
\nnot long afterward on the grounds that Ginandjar was an active
\nmilitary officer when the alleged corruption took place and hence
\nhe had to be probed by joint civilian-military investigators.<\/p>\n
The Attorney General's Office appealed the verdict to the
\nSupreme Court, which ruled early last month that Ginandjar's
\ndetention was lawful since it was done in a manner \"consistent
\nwith the Anti Corruption Law No. 3, 1971\".<\/p>\n
Law No. 3, 1971 stipulates that the Attorney General's Office
\nis the leader and coordinator of investigation teams probing
\ncorruption committed by those subjected to public courts and the
\nsystem of law.<\/p>\n
Timor added that TNI Commander Admiral Widodo AS had ordered
\nthe military police to appoint five officers for the joint
\ncivilian-military investigation.<\/p>\n
\"The military police commander told me that he had submitted
\nthe names of the officers to the Attorney General's Office,\"
\nTimor said.<\/p>\n
Ginandjar is now in Bangkok, Thailand on an official visit in
\nhis capacity as MPR deputy speaker. --JP<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tni-approves-joint-probe-into-ginandjar-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}