Book on Akbar's graft case withdrawn

Book on Akbar's graft case withdrawn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scandal of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) has been withdrawn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