Akbar asked to probe alleged graft involving House members

JAKARTA (JP): A whiff of corruption hangs over the House of Representatives following reports that members of its Commission IX on finance asked for some Rp 325 million (US$30,000) from a number of state-owned fertilizer companies during a hearing last February.

The revelation comes as legislators are preparing themselves for a special session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) on Aug. 1, when they are expected to demand that President Abdurrahman account for two financial scandals he was allegedly involved in.

In an official letter dated July 4, 2001, the Indonesian Nationhood faction (FKKI) asked House Speaker Akbar Tandjung to probe the case and provide a public clarification to clear the legislators' names.

It was alleged in the letter that the members of Commission IX asked for the money from the state-owned companies in return for the holding of a single hearing on Feb. 20, 2001.

From the money, the 57 commission members allegedly received Rp 5 million each, the three deputy chairmen Rp 7.5 million each, while the chairman received Rp 10 million. The rest of the money was allegedly given to the commission secretariat and journalists.

Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) had previously sent a confidential letter to Akbar concerning the case, which the FKKI leaked to the public.

ICW Coordinator Teten Masduki confirmed the report on Thursday but refused to go into details.

"We sent the letter as a follow-up step to a report we received. It is up to the House to probe the case," he remarked.

FKKI chairman Sutradara Gintings said that the faction was only reminding the House to heed the allegation, especially ahead of the MPR special session.

"I think it is necessary for the House to clarify such matters because it will tarnish our image, especially when we are trying to control corruption in the country," Sutradara told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

"If the case turns out not to be true then we can clear all our names. But if it is true then the House should do something about it," he remarked.

Commission IX member Faisal Baasir claimed to know nothing about the money but said that many attempts to commit fraud had been perpetrated using the Commission's name.

"We have warned state-owned companies to reject all demands from Commission IX members and to report any such requests to the Commission chairman or secretariat," Faisal told the Post.

He further said that Commission Chairman Benny Pasaribu had inquired about the matter with the director of the state-owned PT Pupuk Kaltim fertilizer company and he had denied the story, claiming his company had never given any money to legislators.

"If ICW has any proof, please let us know so that we can deal with the problem and take the necessary action. But, I think this is all part of an attempt to tarnish our image ahead of the special session," Faisal said.(dja)