Book on Akbar's graft case withdrawn

Book on Akbar's graft case withdrawn

JAKARTA: A book detailing the alleged role of House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung in the Rp 40 billion graft scandal of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) has been withdrawn from sale by its publisher, Akbar's lawyer said on Thursday.

Lawyer Amir Syamsuddin said the withdrawal of the book, titled Abdurrahmangate, Akbargate, Megaskandal, started on Tuesday after Akbar's legal team filed a complaint against the publisher and authors on July 15.

"The complaint was based on the fact that they had used Pak Akbar's picture on the book's cover without consent.

"We have no problem with the content of the book, however the use of my client's picture is the real issue of our complaint," Amir said, adding that he had received a formal apology from the publisher and authors.

Akbar and two other defendants are accused of misusing Bulog's nonbudgetary funds, which were allocated to feed the poor in 1999.

Prosecutors have demanded that Akbar serve a four-year jail term. Judges have not yet issued a verdict in the case, while Akbar insists he is innocent.--AFP