Big parties determined to save Akbar

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Just three days before the House of Representatives (DPR) decides whether or not it will set up a committee of inquiry, major parties appeared determined on Friday to save House Speaker Akbar Tandjung, backing away from their earlier demands for an investigation into corruption allegations against the Golkar chairman.

Secretary General of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Soetjipto said on Friday that his party would thwart any attempt to set up an inquiry team to investigate Akbar.

"The legal process is the appropriate way for resolving Akbar's case. That is why PDI Perjuangan is of the opinion that a House inquiry team is better off being avoided," Soetjipto was quoted by Antara as saying after a meeting with the Indonesian community in Cairo, Egypt.

PDI Perjuangan is the biggest faction in the House with 153 members.

Crescent Star Party (PBB) legislator Mawardi Abdullah said there was no urgent need to form an inquiry team as the role could be handled by House Commissions II and III.

"House Commissions II and III should form a joint team to monitor the legal processing of Akbar's case from the Attorney General's Office up to the court," he said on Friday.

"In that way, politically the House does not have to form an inquiry team to investigate the so-called Buloggate II scandal so that our attention can continue to be focused on other issues," he said.

Meanwhile, Tosari Wijaya, a legislator from the United Development Party (PPP), said on Friday that the decision on whether or not the House would form an inquiry team to investigate Akbar will still be discussed by the House Steering Committee.

"The plenary meeting of the House on Monday will only discuss whether or not there is a need to set up an inquiry team (to investigate Akbar). The final decision will be taken at another plenary meeting later after the issue has been discussed by the House Steering Committee," he said.

The parties' change of mind would appear to be a betrayal of the people at large who had hoped that Akbar, a suspect in a Rp 40 billion scandal involving the State Logistics Agency (Bulog), would face the music both in court and the House.

With the major parties backing down, the legal process will now be expected to take its course. Given the country's corrupt judicial system, however, Akbar stands a good chance of getting off unscathed.

Deputy secretary of House Golkar Party faction Yahya Zaini expressed confidence on Friday that no House inquiry team would ever be formed to investigate Akbar, thanks to aggressive lobbying efforts by Golkar legislators.

"Our legislators have so aggressively lobbied other party representatives and leaders ... the results have been satisfactory. It's a guarantee that no House team will be established," Yahya told reporters.

The guarantee, Yahya said, had been given by, among others, Amien Rais, chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), which is the country's fourth largest party.

"Also, the PDI Perjuangan is no longer demanding that Akbar should step down from his post as House Speaker. Instead, it has asked that the case should be legally processed," he said.

According to Yahya, a similar stance is being taken by the United Development Party (PPP), the Crescent Star Party (PBB), and the Indonesian Military (TNI)/National Police faction.

"None of these parties believe that a House inquiry committee is relevant anymore. Considering all this, Golkar is in a great position," Yahya asserted.

Yahya said that there were only three parties that Golkar legislators had not been able to sway, including the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction, which is the third largest faction after Golkar.

"We have not been able to do so because of the PKB's internal problems. We will, however, waste no time. As soon as the special congress of the Alwi Shihab-led PKB ends in Yogyakarta, the lobbying with start intensively," Yahya said.

Soetjipto said on Friday that the House was divided on whether or not Akbar should go through the legal process only or through a House investigation as well.

"If Akbar is interrogated by a House committee of inquiry as well, new problems will arise. This will weaken our country's political and security situation," Soetjipto said.

"The general public is tired of this kind of politics. Which is why, if it is possible ... (the establishment of a committee of inquiry) would be better avoided."