Akbar's release shows injustice: PDI Perjuangan

Akbar's release shows injustice: PDI Perjuangan

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan) said on Tuesday that the release of corruption
suspect House Speaker Akbar Tandjung was an unjust practice
within the country's legal system.

Nevertheless, PDI Perjuangan still stood by its previous
stance not to support any move to establish a House of
Representatives (DPR) inquiry team to investigate the disgraced
Golkar chairman, pending the court verdict.

"We see there is an injustice here ... there is discrimination
as other corruption suspects have not received the same
treatment," PDI Perjuangan deputy secretary-general Pramono Anung
said after the party's weekly meeting here on Tuesday.

The meeting was chaired by party chairwoman Megawati
Soekarnoputri, who is also the President.

Golkar chairman Akbar, on trial for allegedly misappropriating
Rp 40 billion (US$4.1 million) of State Logistics Agency (Bulog)
funds in 1999, was released from detention on Friday on the
personal guarantee of his wife, Krisnina Maharani.

However, Akbar's codefendants, Dadang Ruskandar and Winfried
Simatupang, had been denied such treatment. Another corruption
suspect, Rahardi Ramelan, had his detention extended by 60 days
by the South Jakarta District Court on the very same day Akbar
was released.

"It is a very ironic (coincidence) that Akbar was released on
his wife's birthday, while we have never discussed such a release
for petty theft case suspects like chicken thieves," Pramono
said.

President Megawati summoned Attorney General MA Rachman to her
official residence on Jl. Teuku Umar on Monday evening.

According to Pramono, the President asked for an explanation
from the Attorney General regarding Akbar's release. However, he
refused to elaborate on the result of the meeting.

Despite Akbar's questionable release, Megawati, according to
party secretary-general Soetjipto, decided on Tuesday that her
party would not support the establishment of a House special
committee to investigate Akbar, arguing that the party would let
the legal process continue before making any political move.

"We will not interfere (in the legal process) so that the
public can judge for itself the performance of our law enforcers:
Whether or not they still disregard the people's aspirations
regarding Akbar's case," Soetjipto said.

Public pressure has mounted for the House to investigate
Akbar, a move that could threaten not only the Speaker's
political career but also the very existence of Golkar itself.

But given Golkar's role in the current government, a House
investigation into Akbar's alleged corruption may also threaten
Megawati's presidency.

Soetjipto said PDI Perjuangan would watch Akbar's case closely
and decide on any political step when the House convened again in
early May.

Meanwhile, Akbar has failed to venture into his office at the
House since his release last Friday. Perhaps he has taken the
ongoing trial as an excuse, but the truth is the court
proceedings do not take up much of his time.

His third hearing at the Central Jakarta District Court in the
Kemayoran fairground on Monday proceeded from around 11 a.m. to 1
p.m. He still had plenty of time if he had wanted to say hello to
his staff at the House, but he did not show up.

On Tuesday, Akbar went to the South Jakarta District Court to
testify against another suspect Rahardi Ramelan, a former trade
minister. He arrived at the court at about 8:30 a.m., but when
the trial was adjourned due to the defendant's poor health Akbar
went home immediately.

Golkar's Iris Indira Murti confirmed that Akbar went directly
to his residence in the Widya Chandra compound.

The political situation in the House seemed to change when
Akbar stayed for nearly one month in detention.

Deputy House speaker Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno said on Tuesday
that House leaders would discuss Akbar's position when the House
convened on May 13.

"Whether or not Pak Akbar will automatically return to his
position will be decided at the meeting. Let's wait," Soetardjo
said.

Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction Ali
Masykur Musa reiterated on Tuesday that Akbar should focus on the
legal processing of his graft case.

If Akbar returned to the House, Ali said, he should avoid
making any decisions.