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.