House delays questioning of Suwondo's wife

JAKARTA (JP): The special committee from the House of Representatives investigating the Bulog financial scandal canceled on Wednesday the planned questioning of Teti Nursetiati, the wife of the main suspect in the scandal, Suwondo.

"I have the right to be accompanied by my lawyers and to have legal protection," she said in response to the special committee's demand that she be questioned without her lawyers present.

Denny A. Zani Latief, one of Teti's lawyers, said his client had the right to legal protection, as guaranteed by the Constitution.

"We will accompany our client in order to uphold her legal rights as an Indonesian citizen," he said.

Teti's husband, Suwondo, has allegedly received a total of Rp 35 billion from the Yanatera foundation of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog). Of this amount, Rp 10 billion reportedly was deposited in the bank by Teti.

President Abdurrahman Wahid has been rumored to be involved in the scandal, as Suwondo is the former masseur of the President.

Many people suspect Bulog released the money to Suwondo with the President's approval.

The committee grilled three Bulog officials on Monday about the unlawful disbursement of the Rp 35 billion, allegedly approved by then deputy chairman Sapuan, who is currently on trial for his alleged role in the affair.

Teti told reporters at the House on Wednesday she knew nothing about the scandal.

"Frankly speaking, my role was that I deposited the Rp 10 billion my husband gave me, but I didn't know where the money came from," she said.

Teti said she deposited the money at City Bank, and she returned the Rp 10 billion when the scandal became public earlier this year.

Enggartiasto Lukita, a member of the House's special committee, confirmed Teti's appearance had to be postponed because of the dispute over whether her lawyers would accompany her.

"The committee failed to persuade her to speak up without lawyers," Enggartiasto said.

"The committee eventually decided to adjourn the hearing until Teti is ready to testify," he said, adding that the committee would waste little time in again asking her to speak to them. "The committee may have to force her to testify if she refuses."

Meilono Suwondo, another committee member, said there was speculation Teti's refusal to testify was related to the fate of her husband, who is currently in police custody.

"We assume Teti is trying to hide something. She's likely trying to protect her husband and some other important people," he said. (rms)