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.