Big parties determined to save Akbar

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."