Gus Dur to be queried

JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Marzuki Darusman said on Saturday that President Abdurrahman Wahid would be questioned over two financial scandals that had led to the issuing of two memorandum of censures by the House of Representatives against him.

"The President will be questioned as soon as possible," Marzuki told reporters after a swearing-in ceremony for two deputy chief judges at Bina Graha presidential office.

He did not name a date but said that Abdurrahman "will be investigated as a citizen".

He added that the questioning could take place either at the presidential palace or at the Attorney General's office.

The DPR censured Abdurrahman for the first time in February after it concluded that he was suspected of having a role in the two scandals, locally dubbed Bulogate and Bruneigate.

Bulogate centers around the theft of Rp 35 billion rupiah (US$ 3.5 million) from the State Logistics Agency Bulog, allegedly pulled off by a masseur and business associate of the President.

Bruneigate revolves around a two-million dollar donation from the sultan of Brunei for humanitarian assistance, which the President claimed was a personal gift.

Legislators issued the President with the second censure on Monday, charging him with failure to heed the first censure and to improve his performance.

The President has denied any wrongdoing in the scandals, and has repeatedly pledged to serve out his term until 2004. (byg)