Akbar backs Megawati on TNI donation

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."