Gus Dur's allegation

Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid is not the type to remain silent in witnessing an interesting development in the life of nationhood and statehood such as the hullabaloo surrounding the Buloggate II case. According to Wahid, besides Akbar there are many other political figures from both large and small political parties that have also received non-budgetary funds from the State Logistics Agency (Bulog).

Wahid alleged that Taufik Kiemas, the husband of President Megawati, who is a member of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), Vice President Hamzah Haz, who is from the Development United Party (PPP) and Minister of Defense Matori Abdul Jalil, had all received Bulog funds. He said Taufik had received about Rp 38 billion, Hamzah some Rp 24 billion and Matori around Rp 8 billion.

People may think that Wahid is seeking revenge on the political parties that were involved in toppling him from the presidency. He lost his presidential seat for allegedly being implicated in channeling Rp 35 billion of Bulog funds to Suwondo, his masseur.

In this case, the police and the prosecutors' office -- as Wahid would expect -- should immediately summon or visit Wahid and study the allegation seriously.

Whether Wahid's charge is legitimate or not can be determined later.It seems unlikely that political figures in the House of Representatives will follow up Wahid's allegation because -- if the allegation is correct -- this has to do with the credibility of their own parties.

-- Republika, Jakarta