Akbar's detention and the President

Akbar's detention and the President

The Attorney General's Office surprised a lot of people. After
Rahardi Ramelan had been incarcerated at Cipinang penitentiary,
yesterday it was Akbar Tandjung's turn to be detained by the
Attorney General's Office. This decision was made while the
people's representatives, depending on where their own interests
lay, argued about whether they had to form a Special Committee to
investigate the graft case allegedly involving Akbar.

The result was that the House of Representatives opted to buy
time and adjourn the matter rather than making a decision.
Akbar's case is a monumental example of how a simple matter
becomes complicated due to a mixture of legal and political
considerations.

For the National Awakening Party (PKB), Akbar Tandjung should
face two charges at the same time. The party thinks he should not
only be investigated politically by a Special Committee but also
processed legally.

For the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan) and the United Development Party (PPP), it would be
best if Akbar Tandjung was cleared politically but had to go
through the legal process.

Therefore, Akbar's detention is a political rescue for both
PDI Perjuangan and PPP. Both are safe because they need not take
any political decisions in the House.

What the public is waiting for is President Megawati
Soekarnoputri's explanation on why Akbar Tandjung has been
detained.

Many people are beginning to believe that Megawati has a
hidden agenda, which is understandable considering that the
establishment of her administration resulted from a coalition
that is now being threatened. There seems to be a likelihood of
the resignation of Golkar ministers from the Cabinet and a Golkar
boycott of Megawati's administration.

Thus, on the level of the government, the coalition is
illogical and unrealistic if Megawati -- the chairwoman of the
country's largest party as well as the President -- does not
offer an explanation to the public. There should not be the
assumption that the President has a secret agenda.

A national leader is required to have the moral courage to
offer clear explanations to the public.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta