Haryanto spared from awkward questions
Haryanto spared from awkward questions
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto made an appearance at the House of Representatives yesterday, his first hearing since charges of misconduct were leveled against him in the media last month.
But to the disappointment of at least two House members and a horde of journalists, the minister was spared by a House leader from having to explain the allegations.
"The core of this hearing is to discuss the ministry's spending plans for the 1996/97 fiscal year. We should not stray from that course," said Ahmadi, who presided over the Commission V hearing.
At least two commission members raised questions about the allegations facing the minister.
The allegations were made by Inspector General for Development Kentot Harseno in a classified memo to President Soeharto. Copies of the memo were leaked to the media last month, prompting calls for an official investigation of the minister.
However, Ahmadi, from the Golkar faction which dominates the House, made it clear to fellow commission members that the hearing yesterday would not touch on the subject at all.
"The case relating to the reports by the inspector general for development will not be discussed in today's session," he said.
He added that House members should take a cue from the statement made by Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono, who said that President Soeharto considers the case closed.
Moerdiono said that according to an investigation conducted by Vice President Try Sutrisno, Haryanto was guilty of using state funds for personal use but had since repaid all the funds. Moerdiono said any other allegations of wrongdoings were unfounded.
"We agree not to pursue the case further," Ahmadi said.
Ahmadi made the remarks after taking a brief recess to discuss with other faction leaders if the minister should respond to questions on the subject raised by commission members.
Two members, Marsinggih Marnadi of the Indonesian Democratic Party and Sofyan Usman of United Development Party, provoked the recess after calling for a more thorough investigation.
"Despite the President's explanation, we want a clarification of which allegations are wrong and which are true because this is not yet clear," Sofyan said.
Marsinggih said he was disappointed with the decision to bar him from questioning the minister, but promised to pursue the matter in future hearings.
Marsinggih also accused the minister yesterday of having channeled funds from the transportation ministry to finance Golkar activities in the province of Jambi.
Haryanto categorically denied the accusation. (pan)
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