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)
Firms -- Page 8