Former Dolog chief arrested over rice scam

JAKARTA (JP): After an intensive two-week investigation which included the questioning of 49 witnesses, the Jakarta Police finally arrested Ahmad Zawawi, the former head of the Jakarta Logistics Agency (Dolog Jaya), early on Thursday.

Chief of the Jakarta Police detectives unit Col. Gories Mere said on Thursday there was sufficient evidence of Zawawi's alleged role in illegally providing rice delivery orders to unlisted distributors and the planned unlawful export of 1,900 metric tons of rice to Kuching in Sarawak, Malaysia.

Based on the evidence gathered and witness testimony, the 56- year-old retired army colonel would likely be charged with corruption and subversion carrying a maximum penalty of death, Gories said. Zawawi was first questioned on Sept. 9.

While completing the dossiers on the case and in their attempt to collect more information, the city police also plans to summon Zawawi's supervisor, Beddu Amang, who was replaced as chairman of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) last month.

"To further round out our material evidence, we'll summon Beddu Amang soon (for questioning)," Gories told the media.

Beddu abruptly left his three-year tenure on Aug. 26. He is now an expert staff adviser for the distribution of basic commodities at the Coordinating Ministry for Economy, Finance and Industry.

According to Gories, Zawawi, who was formerly questioned as a witness in the two cases, was officially named a suspect and detained at the Jakarta Police headquarters at the first stroke of Thursday.

Before making the decision, the police questioned Zawawi for about 10 hours on Wednesday, the officer said.

Zawawi, who served about five months as Dolog Jaya head, could be charged under articles 1 and 28 of Law No. 3/1971 on corruption and Article 1 Law No. 11/1963 on the controversial subversion law.

Many, including President B.J. Habibie and the Armed Forces (ABRI), have said the subversion statute needs to be reviewed because it was too ambiguous and could be abused by the government to defend its own interests.

Shortly after replacing Soeharto as president in May, Habibie pledged to abolish the subversion law, arguing it was often used by the government against the people.

But the arrest of Zawawi has apparently satisfied many Jakartans, particularly low-income families, who have faced difficulties in purchasing the staple food in recent months due to skyrocketing prices and its scarcity.

Many hope the authorities will continue to search for those responsible for rice scams.

Asked to comment on Zawawi's arrest, Governor Sutiyoso said: "I agree with the police decision as long as the police has enough evidence to prove his wrongdoing. The police can then submit the case immediately to the prosecutor's office."

Gories said Zawawi would not be released on bail or a guarantee from his lawyers in accordance with the instructions of Jakarta Police Chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman.

"Pak Noegroho has ordered us not to defer his arrest for any reason so that we can complete the dossiers as soon as possible," he said. (emf/ind)