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