Graft suspect Akbar meets President

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Corruption suspect Akbar Tandjung met with President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Thursday for the first time after the beleaguered Golkar chairman was detained by the Attorney General's Office in March.

The meeting, which took place after the swearing-in ceremony of Vice Admiral Bernard Kent Sondakh as the new Navy Chief of Staff and Vice Marshall Chappy Hakim as Air Force Chief of Staff at the State Palace, lasted for around 20 minutes.

Akbar, who came to the palace to attend the inauguration ceremony, left his designated place hurriedly to congratulate the new officers and tried to catch up with Megawati, who was leaving the ceremony venue.

Megawati suddenly stopped and came over to the House Speaker. They soon engaged in a friendly talk. While Megawati was talking to Akbar, her husband Taufik Kiemas repeatedly patted Akbar on the shoulder.

Akbar even entered into the President's office for about 20- minutes. None of the presidential aides joined Megawati in the meeting. Akbar left the palace without giving any details of his discussion with Megawati.

Akbar later told The Jakarta Post that he congratulated Megawati for her successful official visits to China, South Korea, North Korea and India.

"I also asked her about the candidates for the Indonesian Military (TNI) chief. She said she will announce (TNI chief) soon," said Akbar.

He rejected speculations that he tried to discuss his case with Megawati.

"No, not at all. We didn't discuss that subject," Akbar said.

Immediately after Akbar was detained by the Attorney General's Office on March 7, Golkar heavyweights tried to lobby Megawati but the President reportedly deliberately shunned any meeting with Golkar leaders. At one point, Golkar leaders complained that Megawati did not want to meet them and threatened to withdraw the party's support for her administration.

Akbar is on trial for alleged corruption involving Rp 40 billion (US$4.2 million) in State Logistics Agency (Bulog) funds. He could face 20 years imprisonment if convicted.