Akbar resumes legislative top job

Akbar resumes legislative top job

A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Akbar Tandjung has
officially resumed his duties in the law-making body, despite his
status as a defendant in a high-profile graft case.

On Saturday, he made his first outing since his release from
the Attorney General's Office cell, with a trip to the West Java
town of Purwakarta, some 80 kilometers east of here. Accompanied
by other Golkar top figures, Akbar presented donation to
residents of several villages near Jatiluhur reservoir, who fell
victims to a landslide.

Akbar decided to resume his duties as House Speaker following
a DPR leadership meeting on Friday that served as a forum for
Akbar to explain his legal status and his return to the House,
following his release from court detention on April 5.

"As there is no objection from DPR leaders, I will retake the
speakership," said Akbar after the meeting, which was attended by
the House's deputy speakers, including Muhaimin Iskandar.

During Akbar's detention, his duties were taken over by House
Deputy Speaker Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno of the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).

"In the meeting (on Friday), I explained to the deputy
speakers the legal case I am facing," Akbar said as quoted by
Antara news agency.

Akbar is being prosecuted by the Central Jakarta District
Court on charges that he misused some Rp 40 billion in funds from
the State Logistics Agency (Bulog).

The panel of judges hearing the case released Akbar from
detention on April 5, after Akbar's wife Krisnina gave her
personal guarantee that he would not flee.

Akbar said the judges' decision affirmed that he was a free
man, therefore enabling him to resume his activities in the DPR.

Akbar, who is also the chairman of the Golkar Party, the
country's second largest political party, said that despite
resuming his duties in the House, his trial would remain his
number one priority.

"Should there be a DPR meeting overlapping with a trial
session, my place in the DPR can be taken by a deputy speaker of
the House," he said.

Akbar's reluctance to relinquish his position as DPR Speaker
has sparked controversy over whether a suspect in a corruption
case is "fit" to lead the legislative body.

Supporters of Akbar have insisted that the legal process of
Akbar's case should not be confused with political maneuverings.

Detractors of the Speaker have demanded that Akbar resign for
the sake of the dignity of the House.

They said that by ignoring the calls for his resignation,
Akbar would only be confirming the public's suspicion that not
all members of the House adhere to the highest standards of
morality and ethics.

Political observer J. Kristiadi lashed out at the DPR's deputy
speakers for allowing Akbar to resume his position in the
legislative body.

"The acceptance (of Akbar) is evidence that the legislators
are morally bankrupt, as they allow themselves to be led by a
person who lacks integrity," Kristiadi, from the Centre for
Strategic and International Studies, told The Jakarta Post.

The DPR should not accept being led by a person who is being
prosecuted as part of a corruption case. This acceptance will
ruin the credibility of the DPR in the eyes of the public,
Kristiadi said.