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.