Golkar claims lousy: Parties

Golkar claims lousy: Parties

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Leaders of several political parties went ballistic on
Thursday over a Golkar party report which claimed that they, too,
had received hot money from the State Logistics Agency (Bulog)
for their 1999 election campaigns.

However, a former National Mandate Party (PAN) official did
seem to hint that the party may have received a share of the
money.

The scandal has implicated Golkar chief Akbar Tandjung, who is
also speaker of the House of Representatives. He allegedly
diverted Rp 40 billion to Golkar while he was minister/state
secretary in 1999.

"The accusation is false. It was initiated by Golkar officials
in their desperate efforts to foil the legal and legislative
efforts to hold Akbar responsible for the scandal," said Muhaimin
Iskandar, a House deputy speaker from the National Awakening
Party (PKB).

The accusation that almost all political parties contesting
the 1999 elections were in on the scam was put forth by Syamsul
Muarif, a Golkar Party executive who serves as Communications and
Information Minister in the current Cabinet.

While refusing to name a source, Syamsul said that all
political parties except the People's Democratic Party (PRD) had
received part of the Bulog funds.

The investigation over the allegations is proceeding at the
Attorney General's Office (AGO) and in the House. Most parties
have openly thrown their support behind the formation of a
special committee to scrutinize Akbar's role in the scam.

Roy B.B. Janis, Chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction described the accusation as
"ridiculous".

PDI Perjuangan is chaired by President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

"It was illogical. Golkar should remember that there were
anti-Megawati campaigns waged by major political parties ahead
the (1999) general election.

"Why would they bother to give funds to Megawati while at the
same time they were trying hard to block her way to power?" said
Roy, who is deputy chief of PDI Perjuangan.

The nationalist PDI Perjuangan won the largest percentage of
votes, 34, in the 1999 general elections contested by 48
political parties.

However, not everyone seems ready agree with the flat denials
from the party executives.

For example, a former member of PAN, who requested anonymity,
admitted that PAN might have received some Bulog money because
sometimes there were donations that were not reported
transparently.

"For example once Amien Rais received Rp 500 million from
(business tycoon) Mochtar Riyadi. It was handed over personally
and the party never received a report on the money," the former
member said.

A legislator of the United Development Party (PPP), Surya
Dharma Ali, demanded that Syamsul show evidence to prove his
claims.

Surya said that the accusations could not be taken seriously
and everybody should concentrate on Akbar's involvement in the Rp
40 billion corruption.

The Muslim-based PPP is opposed to the establishment of a
special House Committee to investigate Akbar, arguing that the
committee would need to eventually hand over its findings to the
Attorney Generals' Office.

"So what's the difference? It will be better if we just let
the Attorney General handle it completely," Surya said.

The only faction which was tight-lipped about the accusation
was the tiny Crescent and Star Party (PBB).

The faction has never denied or acknowledged the claim that it
had received Rp 1 billion from former president B.J. Habibie.
There have been unconfirmed reports that the money was personally
received by PBB Chairman Yusril Ihza Mahendra in January 1999.
The fund allegedly had originated from Bulog.