Akbar reported to police for libel

Akbar reported to police for libel

JAKARTA: Former Golkar deputy secretary-general Muchyar Yara reported Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung to the police on Wednesday for defamation.

Muchyar, who was fired by Akbar in February 2002, said Akbar had accused him of influencing the Jakarta High Court, which decided to uphold Akbar's three-year jail term for corruption.

"That is not true, the allegation tarnishes my reputation," Muchyar was quoted was Antara as saying.

Muchyar said he had sent a letter to Akbar in early February asking him to clarify his statement but until now Akbar, who is also the House Speaker, had not responded.

The Jakarta High Court upheld in January Akbar's three-year prison sentence imposed by the Central Jakarta District Court for his role in a Rp 40 billion (US$4.7 million) financial scandal involving the State Logistics Agency (Bulog).

Akbar, who has consistently maintained his innocence, is free pending an appeal to the Supreme Court. --Antara