Akbar backs Megawati on TNI donation
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
House Speaker Akbar Tandjung says there is no need for the House of Representatives (DPR) to summon President Megawati Soekarnoputri to explain the Rp 30 billion (US$3.1 million) she donated to the Indonesian Military (TNI) and police last February.
Akbar, currently standing trial for allegedly stealing Rp 40 billion ($4.2 million) from the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) in 1999, said the issue could simply be discussed with State Secretary Bambang Kesowo.
"With no intention to curb the legislators' rights, I think it is sufficient to discuss the issue at a parliamentary hearing (between House Commission I and the state secretary)," Akbar said on Thursday.
President Megawati donated Rp 30 billion to the Army, Navy, Air Force and Police in February for the renovation of residences housing low-ranking personnel.
As the funds were not budgeted, a number of legislators, including from Akbar's Golkar Party and Vice President Hamzah Haz's United Development Party (PPP), have signed a petition to summon Megawati to explain the origin of the funds before a House plenary session.
Bambang said earlier that the funds were taken from the Presidential Aid, known by its Indonesian acronym Banpres, a fund created in 1970 by former dictator Soeharto.
Deputy House speaker Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno said on Thursday that the House leaders had no plans to discuss the presidential assistance.
"Up until today, there is no opinion. Perhaps, the issue will be discussed in the next sitting period," Soetardjo said.
The House is in recess until the second week of May.
Meanwhile, legislator Afni Achmad of the Reform Faction said on Thursday that the legislators would go ahead with the petition despite Bambang's explanation.
"Up until today 28 inter-faction legislators have backed the motion," Afni told The Jakarta Post.
Asked if the explanation from Bambang was not enough, Afni said that the explanation provided by different officials had caused fresh confusion.
Afni said he and fellow legislators wanted an official explanation from the president.
"We want transparency concerning the source and the management of the funds."