Dewi advises Habibie to clear his name

JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie must immediately clear his name and take firm action against people around him who are involved in the Bank Bali scandal, his senior adviser said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a business forum in Jakarta, Dewi Fortuna Anwar acknowledged the President's reputation has been badly affected by the bank scandal, and might lower his chances at the presidential election.

"I believe that Pak Habibie should not hesitate to take action against his own men even if they are older than him," Dewi said, but denied she was referring to Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) chairman and Golkar adviser A.A. Baramuli, 69. Habibie is 63.

Ekky Syahruddin, a member of the House of Representatives (DPR) in the Golkar faction, said money politics not only involved Golkar but also the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan). He did not elaborate on Golkar's involvement.

Ekky told the forum PDI Perjuangan had received Rp 500 billion around the time of the June elections from the Lippo business group, adding he had strong evidence to back up his claim.

"I have the evidence in my pocket," he said, without revealing it.

Separately at her office, Dewi expressed the hope that the President would make an open statement to distance himself from the financial scandal, although his aides, including Minister of Justice/State Secretary Muladi, have already spoken on his behalf.

"Personally I think it is important for the (statement) to come directly from the President's mouth, and not from me or Pak Muladi," Dewi said.

According to Dewi, Habibie personally assured her that he was innocent in the scandal. "He has checked and asked for a report from Bank Indonesia to check whether it is true there was a money transfer to his account or his brothers' accounts, and it is definite that there has been no single cent found."

The President's youngest brother, Suyatim Abdulrachman "Timmy" Habibie, also denied his involvement in the scandal, claiming he has never met former Bank Bali president Rudy Ramli or the other suspects.

"I, as well as the President, know nothing about the bank scandal," Timmy said on Sunday night at the President's private residence in Patra Kuningan, South Jakarta.

Timmy also denied reports that his close friend and former student activist Hariman Siregar had threatened to kill PDI Perjuangan executive Dimyati Hartono with his pistol, saying Hariman's remark was merely a joke.

"As men, of course we have our own pistols," said Timmy, pointing to his groin and bursting into laughter.

However, the chairman of Semarang's Institute of Legal Aid, Andik Hardiyanto, still believed Hariman's threat was serious.

"Hariman has the power and backing and he may lack trust in the law," Andik said in Semarang.

Separately, the editor of Suara Bangsa, Petron Curie, criticized Amien Rais for maltreating the daily's reporter Kleofas Klewen on Monday. Petron said Amien treated the reporter harshly when Kleofas tried to confirm his previous statement that a major political party was also involved in money politics.

"We just want to express our regret regarding Amien Rais' rude attitude," Petron said in a statement.

Separately, Antara reported that officials from the central bank, the Attorney General's office and National Police will meet on Wednesday to discuss the Bank Bali scandal.

"If criminal elements are found (in the case) they will be reported to first echelon officials and later the police," Bank Indonesia Governor Syahril Sabirin said on Tuesday.

He had accompanied Habibie in receiving IMF representative in Indonesia, Khadeem el-Eyd. (prb/har)