Akbar vows to explain Bulog scam in due time

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.