DPR probes bribery allegations

JAKARTA (JP): Speaker of the House of Representatives Akbar Tandjung ordered an immediate investigation on Wednesday into rumors that members of Commission IX had taken bribes from state- owned Bank Mandiri.

Rumors of the bribery came from commission members who said they were offered the money during a visit to the bank on Tuesday.

One legislator, who requested anonymity, said he rejected the offer, amounting to Rp 5 million. "But other legislators took the money," he told The Jakarta Post.

Another legislator confirmed the bribery offer, but said the amount ranged from Rp 10 million to Rp 15 million, and the money was directly transferred to their bank accounts.

Others said that the House's secretariat had collected the bank account numbers of the commission members ahead of the visit and therefore presumed that these had been given to their hosts during the working visit.

Members of Commission IX, which oversees finance and development affairs, visited Bank Mandiri and Bank BNI head offices on Tuesday during which they met with management. Such working visits are normal during the House's recess period.

Bank Mandiri's president Robby Djohan had been rumored to be facing the axe from State Minister of State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi, a subject that was also discussed during the meeting between Commission IX members and the management.

Commission chairman Sukowaluyo Mintohardjo denied any knowledge of bribery. "There is nothing to tell or deny. It did not happen," he told reporters.

Hamka Yadhu, another commission member, dismissed the rumors. "I've checked my bank account and there was no such transfer," he said, and quipped: "Perhaps, it has not reached my account yet."

Akbar, nevertheless, was enraged at the allegations and proposed the establishment of an honorary council to look into them.

He said accepting money or gifts was a violation of the code of ethics of members. (rms)