Akbar vows to explain Bulog scam in due time

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung pledged on Wednesday he would disclose everything related to his role in the alleged misuse of Rp 40 billion (US$4.04 million) of funds belonging to the National Logistics Agency (Bulog) if the Attorney General's Office (AGO) officially summons him.

Akbar, however, remained silent and refused to give the press any information regarding the identity of the foundation to which he is said to have channeled the funds.

"I will explain everything at the appropriate time," Akbar told reporters at the House building.

He did say, however, that the unidentified foundation had spent the money on humanitarian aid.

The alleged involvement of Akbar in the case emerged when former Bulog head Rahardi Ramelan admitted during an official inquiry that he had given Rp 40 billion to Akbar.

Commenting on speculation that Golkar should be blamed for the alleged misuse of the fund, Akbar, who is also chairman of the Golkar Party, said that such conjecture was solely intended to damage the party.

"So far those accusations (Golkar involvement) have proven to be baseless," he added.

He emphasized that the Bulog case is currently under examination by the Attorney General's Office. Therefore, he said, he would appear should the AGO need evidence from him.

Earlier on Tuesday, a group of non-governmental organizations demanded that the Attorney General's Office continue investigating the graft case which has already implicated several executives from Golkar.