House committee still in the dark over Sukhoi deal

House committee still in the dark over Sukhoi deal

Kurniawan Hari and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post,
Jakarta

The House of Representatives committee of inquiry into the
purchase of Russian-made Sukhoi warplanes and helicopters on
Tuesday failed to obtain the explanations it wanted from three
businessmen regarding the high-profile case.

The three businessmen, Anton Sulaiman from PT Penta Adi
Samudra, Benny Soetrisno from the Indonesian Textile Association,
and Marimutu Manimaren from the Texmaco Group provided
legislators with information on trade technicalities, but failed
to shed light on the US$192.6 million deal.

In the first day of its work on Monday, the inquiry committee
set up by the House defense commission failed to elicit
information from former State Logistics Agency (Bulog) chairman
Rizal Ramli and businessman Setiawan Djody as both walked out of
the hearing.

"So far, we have not received any information on the purchase
of the Sukhois. But, at least we gained some knowledge on the ins
and outs of international trade," committee chairman Ibrahim
Ambong said after the closed-door hearing on Tuesday.

Ambong, of the Golkar Party, said that the inquiry would seek
information on the controversial deal from the officials and
experts who had been summoned.

An official from Bank Indonesia, members of Bank Bukopin's
board of directors, and economists from the Institute for the
Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF) are expected to
appear before the inquiry on Wednesday.

Minister of Industry and Trade Rini MS Soewandi, who was
initially scheduled to appear before the committee, is unlikely
to attend the hearing as this was blocked by the House industry
and trade commission.

The industry and trade commission demanded that instead of a
committee of inquiry set up by the defense commission, the
investigation should be carried out by a joint committee selected
from the commissions on defense, industry, and finance.

Djoko Susilo of the Reform faction, an inquiry committee
member, disclosed that during the hearing Anton Sulaiman admitted
he had a close relationship with Taufik Kiemas, the husband of
President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

In fact, Anton's relationship with Taufik was so close that
Taufik's son-in-law, Happy Hapsoro -- husband of Taufik's
daughter Puan Maharani -- addressed Anton as "Uncle," according
to Djoko.

"I am afraid the close relationship may involve corruption,
collusion, and nepotism," Djoko said.

However, Anton denied allegations that the relationship
involved any form of collusion or corruption.

"I know Pak Taufik, but I have no business relations with him
or with this (Sukhoi) project," Anton told the press after the
hearing.

Anton, whom legislators said played an important role in the
Sukhoi deal, emphasized that he had only visited Russia once, in
1997, and that was for recreational purposes.

Benny, meanwhile, said that a delegation of 11 businessmen
visited Russia last April to attend a business exhibition when
President Megawati and her entourage were also visiting the
country.

Although they were there at the same time, the businessmen
were not informed about the Sukhoi deal, Benny added.

Benny said that personally he agreed with the barter deal
applied in the Sukhoi case as it would help businessmen open up
new markets for their products.

Manimaren, however, refused to answer any questions from
journalists.

Separately, Rini MS Soewandi said on Tuesday that she was
ready to take the responsibility for having arranged the purchase
of the four Sukhoi warplanes and two attack helicopters.

"Since the beginning I said that I am responsible and I have
explained the situation to the House industry and trade
commission," the minister said after attending a ceremony marking
the 57th anniversary of the National Police.

She urged all sides to stop making comments on the deal.

"Stop making baseless comments. It will only confuse people,"
Rini remarked.

Later in the day, President Megawati Soekarnoputri summoned
her Cabinet ministers to a closed-door meeting at the
Presidential Palace.

Presidential office staff said that the impromptu meeting was
to discuss the Sukhoi deal.

Present at the meeting were Vice President Hamzah Haz, three
coordinating ministers, Rini, Bulog chief Widjanarko Puspoyo,
Minister of Defense Matori Abdul Djalil, Indonesian Military
chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto and Minister of Finance Boediono.