Call for Kesowo's replacement mounting

Call for Kesowo's replacement mounting

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction in the House of Representatives renewed its call on President Megawati Soekarnoputri to replace Minister/State Secretary Bambang Kesowo for abusing his power to disburse presidential funds for the military and the police.

The call for Kesowo's replacement is mounting following the finding of the House's Commission I on defense and security affairs that the military and the police gained Rp 30 billion to rehabilitate their barracks through the presidential funds on Feb. 25, 2002.

Roy B.B. Janis, chairman of the PDI Perjuangan faction accused Kesowo of giving hasty advice to the president to disburse the funds.

"As a result, he (Kesowo) at least must be replaced," he said.

He added his faction would also support the president should she replace corrupt government officials. -- JP