From Neraca

From Neraca

The corruption case involving nonbudgetary funds of the State
Logistics Agency (Bulog) allegedly misused by Akbar Tanjung,
general chairman of the Golkar Party and House of Representatives
speaker, is now becoming murky as those involved seem to be
forgetful people.

In the case, nicknamed Buloggate II, Akbar once said he had
forgotten the name of the foundation appointed to channel the
money, while the then chairman of the said foundation, (later
identified as the Raudatul Jannah Foundation), Dadang Sukandar,
and the person working on a contract basis to channel the aid,
Winfried Simatupang, did likewise.

The latter two did not say they had forgotten the amount of
money they were supposed to have channeled but said that it
turned out that Rp 32.5 billion had yet to be channeled.

As it happened, the two of them returned this amount -- Rp
32.5 billion - to the Attorney General's Office, an act which,
according to their lawyers, was intended to alleviate the
punishment to be exacted upon them.

To me, a laymen, the return of this Rp 32.5 billion shows that
Buloggate II is really a strange case. How could a contractor
forget that a total of Rp 32.5 billion -- a huge sum indeed --
had yet to be channeled?

The conclusion is that they are not really forgetful. Nor are
they noble for having returned the money. What they have done
strongly suggests a deliberate act to free Akbar Tanjung from
possible punishment.

Therefore, the Attorney General's Office must uncover where
this Bulog money has gone. It is highly likely that it has gone
to Golkar through its treasurers, M.S. Hidayat and Fadel
Muhammad.

Last, but not least, the House must establish a special
committee to investigate Buloggate II. Let no House member reject
the proposal to set up this special committee on the grounds of
forgetfulness.

FATAHILLAH

Tangerang, Banten