Hope dims for quick ouster of embezzler Akbar

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.