Hope dims for quick ouster of embezzler Akbar

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A motion to remove convicted fraudster Akbar Tandjung from his post as speaker of the House of Representatives has all but failed after house leaders, led by Akbar himself, recommended the action be dropped.

The steering committee considering the no-confidence motion accepted the motion from Akbar and his deputies on Tuesday.

Akbar was convicted of stealing Rp 40 billion (US$4.5 million) earmarked to feed Indonesia's most impoverished citizens. He somehow managed to avoid being sent to jail and is appealing the sentence.

The committee's decision, based on the recommendation the House had no power to fire its speaker, followed tough debate and a session of lobbying among leaders of the House's 10 factions.

House deputy speaker Muhaimin Iskandar told reporters after the meeting that they had asked leaders of the factions to disseminate the information to their members, especially those who launched the petition.

Comments from the faction members and the petitioners would be reported at the next steering committee meeting, he said.

Muhaimin did not know when the next meeting would take place. "The meeting may take place this year or next year."

Noviantika Nasution of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) slammed the decision, saying the opinion of the House's leaders must not be considered a decision.

She said the petitioners had to be consulted first.

The petition to suspend Akbar was first submitted to deputy House speaker Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno on Sept. 16. It was signed by 68 legislators from a number of factions. Initiators said recently that more than 150 legislators supported the petition.

Unlike other proposals from legislators that are announced at plenary meetings, Akbar refused to address the petition. The refusal drew protests but Akbar remained stubborn.

The deliberation of the petition at the steering committee was also delayed several times before the committee decided to let House leaders decide Akbar's fate.

Rejection of Akbar's leadership has not only come from rival political parties, but also from inside the Golkar Party, which is chaired by Akbar.

Akbar's biggest political rival is Marwah Daud Ibrahim who comes from the dissenting eastern Indonesian caucus within Golkar.

Marwah criticized House leaders last week, saying the sluggish response showed the House leaders lacked the political will to deal with the issue.

Marwah's stance against Akbar has angered Akbar and other Golkar leaders who initially planned to impose sanctions against her but later backed down.