Bulog scandal probe might hurt Golkar

JAKARTA (JP): United Development Party (PPP) faction chairman at the House of Representatives Rusydi Hamka acknowledged on Monday that the party's proposal for a special inquiry into the Rp 35 billion State Logistics Agency (Bulog) scandal might blemish the Golkar Party.

"We ask that all of Bulog's nonbudgetary funds be revealed. We were told that it could blemish Golkar," Rusydi said.

"But that's okay. We have nothing to lose."

He said the proposal for the inquiry, which was signed by 58 PPP legislators, was mainly aimed at investigating the recent scandal.

He added that the party was lobbying other parties for support and claimed that the Reform faction had indicated it would support the proposal.

According to the current House regulation, an inquiry needs a minimum of 10 signatures from legislators from at least two political factions before it can officially be submitted for consideration before a plenary House session.

If approved, the House will then set up a special inquiry team to gather data on the scandal.

The deputy chairman of House Commission III for agriculture and food affairs, Wijanarko Poespoyo, claimed that Bulog's nonbudgetary funds, worth some Rp 395 billion, was being used by several businesspeople without proper accountability.

At the commission's hearing earlier this month, Wijanarko who is an Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) legislator, claimed that the funds were disbursed in the sum of Rp 35 billion to, among others, Alwin Arifin, son of former Bulog chairman Bustanil Arifin, and another Rp 40 billion to Bustanil's nephew, Jony Syarif.

It has been suggested that Golkar used portions of Bulog's funds for its campaign during the 1999 general election.

National Awakening Party (PKB) faction chairman Taufiqurrahman Saleh said he personally supported the proposal for an inquiry.

Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung said legislators have the right to propose such an inquiry.

"The inquiry would be set up if the House's plenary session approves it. It depends on the legislators," Akbar, who is also the House speaker, said on Monday.

The Bulog scandal came to the fore after it was alleged that President Abdurrahman Wahid's masseur, Suwondo, was able to obtain the release of Rp 35 billion from a Bulog foundation from Sapuan, who was Bulog deputy chairman.

Both Sapuan and Suwondo have been named suspects. The latter is still at large. (jun)