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