Akbar's lawyers throw Bulog ball into Habibie's court

Akbar's lawyers throw Bulog ball into Habibie's court

Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Rp 40 billion (US$4 million) scandal allegedly involving
House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung has taken a new
turn with his lawyers implicating former president B.J. Habibie.

Speaking at a hastily-convened press briefing in Jakarta on
Wednesday, Akbar's lawyers said that Habibie should be blamed for
assigning then state secretary Akbar responsibility to handle
food distribution projects at the height of the economic crisis
in 1999.

"It remains a mystery why Habibie handed Akbar the project to
provide staple food to the poor despite the fact that it was not
the responsibility of Akbar," said Tommy Sihotang. He was
accompanied by Ruhut Sitompul.

"Habibie should be declared a suspect," Sihotang added.

Both Akbar and Habibie command strong influence in Golkar, a
political bandwagon of former dictator Soeharto for more than 32
years. Akbar is the current party chairman.

The press briefing was apparently a retaliatory move against
Habibie, who, as reported by Tempo magazine last week, has
refused to follow the "storyline" that the lawyers have crafted
to save Akbar.

Habibie, who was questioned last month by state prosecutors at
his residence in Germany, revealed that he did not receive any
reports on the use of the Bulog funds, especially from Akbar.

Akbar's lawyers believed their client was cornered by his
political opponents who wanted to get rid of Akbar from the
political stage, underlining that the use of another package of
Rp 10 billion of Bulog funds handed to then coordinating minister
for social, political and security Gen. Wiranto was not queried.

"Legally, Akbar is innocent ... rumors have it that since
Akbar is the country's future leader then some intend to see him
(out of the running)," Sihotang said.

The media briefing was called following the Attorney General's
Office announcement last week that it would examine the case on
Jan. 7 with Bulog's former chief Rahardi Ramelan and his deputy
Achmad Ruskandar as suspects. It will also examine whether or not
Akbar will be charged.