Golkar legislator wants proper use of Dakab funds

Golkar legislator wants proper use of Dakab funds

JAKARTA (JP): Golkar legislator Ichsanuddin Noorsy called on
the government on Friday to turn the Rp 836.2 billion (US$111.5
million) fund of the Dakab Foundation, formerly Golkar's
financial supporter, over to the state's coffers.

Ichsanuddin revealed that the chairman of the foundation,
former president Soeharto handed over the money on Nov. 3 to the
government following a wrangle involving some Golkar legislators
over the ownership of the fund. There are as yet no details as to
how Soeharto actually handed over the money and to whom.

"The money should be treated as state revenue," he told The
Jakarta Post.

The Dakab foundation was set up in July 1985 mainly to finance
Golkar's social activities. Once Soeharto was no longer Golkar's
chief patron, some Golkar executives including chairman Akbar
Tandjung demanded that the money be handed over to the political
grouping.

Ichsanuddin, a legislator for the House of Representatives'
State Budget and Finance Commission VIII, said the fund should be
managed through proper accounting procedures.

"The government should apply principles of transparency,
accountability and efficiency to the bookkeeping and the use of
the money," he said, citing the government-initiated program to
resolve the food crisis.

"However, the money should not be given away as donations, but
in the form of tools and equipment for people to create their own
job opportunities," he said.

If the money was to be used for political activities, then
transparency was in order, he said. Besides, the draft law on
political parties must first be endorsed by the House before any
grouping could try to obtain it.

"You can calculate how much money people in control of the
funds can get from bank interest rates if it is being deposited
in a bank with a 50 percent interest rate," he said.

A United Development Party (PPP) politician has said that the
funds should be returned to the public as they were allegedly
raised through corruption.

Meanwhile, former senior government officials, including
former vice president Sudharmono, who currently runs the
foundation and three other organizations -- Amal Bakti Muslim
Pancasila, Supersemar and Dharmais -- said last June that the
Foundation would not relinquish the funds to either Golkar or the
government but would instead continue their various social
projects. (imn)