Habibie skips questioning over campaign donations

JAKARTA (JP): Former president B.J. Habibie failed to comply to a request to appear before the General Elections Commission (KPU) on Thursday to explain his alleged contributions to the Crescent Star Party (PBB) and other political parties last year.

Agus Miftach, chairman of KPU's executive board, said Habibie was scheduled to appear at the KPU in Central Jakarta at 2 p.m.

"It is his (Habibie) prerogative whether he wants to meet the request ... but his absence will have legal consequences for him if KPU brings the case to court," he said.

He said KPU would soon send a second request to Habibie to appear before the commission some time this month.

"If he fails to meet the second request, KPU will ask the Ombudsmen Commission to handle the matter," he said.

Agus said KPU intended to hear a firsthand explanation from Habibie on the precise amount of financial assistance he reportedly distributed.

"We also want to know whether he donated to the parties before the general election in a personal capacity or as president," he said.

Habibie, who took over from Soeharto after the latter resigned in May 1998, was tasked by the People's Consultative Assembly with holding the general election in June 1999. Despite support from the Golkar Party, Habibie dropped his presidential bid.

The issue of money politics resurfaced when PBB chairman Yusril Ihza Mahendra admitted that he accepted a Rp 1 billion donation for the party from Habibie.

Yusril, who had earlier denied the report of the donation, claimed that several other parties also gained financial assistance from the former president.

Fadli Zon, PBB's former deputy chairman, said on Thursday Yusril should also be held responsible for the alleged money politics as he had not reported it to the party's executive board.

"The issue of money politics has caused confusion in the party because in February 1999, he (Yusril) denied accepting assistance from Habibie," Fadli told the KPU's executive board.

There has been a rift in PBB, with Fadli and 15 other senior PBB figures rejecting the reelection of Yusril as party chief.

Sri Bintang Pamungkas, an outspoken member of the KPU executive board, accused Yusril of deceit when the party was audited by KPU's auditors in June last year.

"PBB's vote gain in the last election could be declared invalid and it could be barred from contesting the next election if it is found guilty of violating the 1999 law on political parties," Bintang said. The law bars parties from accepting more than Rp 15 million from individuals and Rp 150 million from companies and foundations.

Miftach also said KPU would ask Habibie to reveal the other parties which allegedly received donations from him.

"Reliable sources have given KPU information that the Justice Party (PK) and the United Development Party (PPP) also received donations from Habibie," he said. (rms)