Golkar Party agrees with prosecution of Ginandjar

JAKARTA (JP): The Golkar Party has acknowledged the move by the Attorney General's Office to probe party member Ginandjar Kartasasmita over alleged corruption involving state oil and gas company Pertamina.

"Let the legal process settle pak Ginandjar's problem and if he is needed for further questioning I am sure he will comply with the summons," Golkar Chairman Akbar Tandjung told journalists on Friday.

However, Akbar underlined that everybody should respect the legal process and exercise the principles of presumption of innocence in the case.

"We still consider him as not guilty until the court rules on the contrary. We will not hamper the process, and regarding his position in the Assembly, we will have to wait until the case is settled," he said.

Ginandjar, a former minister of mines and energy, is currently the deputy speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

The Attorney General's Office on Thursday named Ginandjar and his successor I.B. Sudjana as suspects in corruption cases which allegedly resulted in US$24.8 million in state losses.

It was reported that Ginandjar illegally approved four technical assistance contracts between Pertamina and private oil company PT Ustraindo Petrogas in early 1992 and 1993.

The attorney general's office is slated to summon Ginandjar in the near future. Ginandjar is currently participating in an overseas lecture program.

Ginandjar had earlier denied the accusation and expressed concern that he was the victim of a political conspiracy.

However, he said that he would obey the summons of the attorney general's office.

Similarly, chairman of the Golkar faction at the House of Representatives, Syamsul Muarif, said Ginandjar should undergo the proper legal process, while suggesting that everybody should respect the presumption of innocence.

He, however, reminded that there is a mechanism in the Assembly regarding members who are absent for long periods of time, which should be adhered to by all legislators.

"So if he (Ginandjar) is later replaced, it is not because he has been declared a suspect in the (corruption) case. Rather, he may feel that he should concentrate on the case. But we will observe developments of the case first," Syamsul told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

He underlined that there are no specific regulations requiring a legislator to resign or be suspended because they are named a suspect in a legal case and that it will be a personal decision if he or she wants to step down from their position. (dja)