Habibie skips questioning over campaign donations

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)