Golkar gainst allies in bid to block Akbar inquiry

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Golkar Party is set to enter Monday's meeting of a House of Representatives' consultative body with guns blazing ready to further block a petition for a legislative inquiry into Akbar Tandjung's alleged involvement in a Rp 40 billion financial scandal.

Armed with filibuster tactics and a new crop of allies, politicians are bracing themselves for endless debate, which could see Golkar stifle the petition for a special committee to investigate the scandal.

Golkar politicians have apparently succeeded in pooling support from other political factions to rally behind them.

Reliable sources told The Jakarta Post that legislators sympathetic to the Golkar chief and House Speaker Akbar Tandjung would reshuffle their representatives in the consultative body to favor stifling the petition for an inquiry.

The issue surrounds whether or not the House should set up an inquiry into Akbar's alleged abuse of power, who, as Minister/State Secretary, oversaw the disbursement of Rp 40 billion from the State Logistics Agency (Bulog).

The money was earmarked for food aid programs, however, there are suspicions that the bulk of it ended up in Golkar's hands to help fund their 1999 election campaign.

Over 50 legislators have signed a petition for a special inquiry to be convened. The petition must first pass the consultative body before it can be considered for adoption at a House plenary session.

Politicians have attended three hearings over the past three weeks on the matter, with the debate achieving little ground.

Golkar Party politicians have made it clear that they will do anything to block their adversaries' attempts at any cost.

Many observers also believe such a politically charged inquiry could see a range of other scandals involving other parties being unearthed.

Golkar maintains that the issue should be resolved through legal proceedings.

Combined with the aforementioned tactics, the reported reshuffle of the 76-member consultative body could sway things around if a vote is called.

A two-thirds majority is required to pass.

Samuel Koto of the Reform faction confirmed that his faction would carry out a minor reshuffle.

Hatta Rajasa was being replaced because he had been appointed state minister for research and technology.

But Samuel claimed his faction would back the establishment of an inquiry team.

Confirmation of a reshuffle was also given by legislators from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and Golkar.

But officials from the two parties refused to explain their reshuffle.

Article 28 of the House' internal regulations stipulates that a reshuffle of the steering committee members is possible if it is deemed necessary by the political party.

But even if the petition does manage to pass this level there is no guarantee the 700-seat House will vote in a plenary session to approve its inclusion in their agenda, which could be on Thursday.

Many point to the key role of the largest faction in the House, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) in determining the outcome.

PDI Perjuangan chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri has officially ordered the party to support the inquiry proposal, but the faction may not fully comply.

Indonesian Legal Aid and Humans Rights Association chairman Hendardi and political activist Bara Hasibuan both underlined on Sunday the crucial role of Megawati, should such an inquiry pass the immediate political obstacles.

"It is not enough for her to merely instruct her party to support the petition. As president she must tightly control and monitor the work of the attorney general in investigating the scandal," Hendardi said.

Similarly, Bara should actively play a leadership role in this affair to ensure that both the political and legal process be conducted thoroughly and fairly.

"She should use her political leverage...to ensure the scandal is uncovered. The key to resolving this scandal, both legally and politically, is in Megawati's hands," he said.

Where factions possibly stand on the petition for an inquiry

Faction, Seats, Possibility: PDI Perjuangan, 22, not solid; Golkar Party, 18, against; PPP (United Development Party), 9, against; PKB (National Awakening Party), 8, for; Reform, 6, for; Military/Police, 6, ?; PBB (Crescent Star Party), 2, against; KKI (Indonesian United Nation), 2, for; PDU (Daulatul Ummah Party), 2, ?; PDKB (Love the Nation Democratic Party), 1, for; Total, 76.