House suspects favoritism in Sukhoi deal

House suspects favoritism in Sukhoi deal

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A House of Representatives committee of inquiry is to investigate
the roles of a number of businessmen in the high-profile purchase
of Russian Sukhoi warplanes, something that may implicate the
inner circle of President Megawati Soekarnoputri, committee
members said on Thursday.

They were of the opinion that businessman Anton Sulaiman
played a major role in the US$192.6 million deal.

"We believe that Anton Sulaiman is a key player in that deal.
We will hear his explanations soon," committee member Djoko
Susilo of the Reform faction told The Jakarta Post.

According to Djoko, Anton is a businessman who often brokers
deals for the purchase of military equipment.

In addition, the committee will also summon businessmen
Manimaren Sinivasan of the Texmaco group, Setiawan Djody of the
Sedco group, and Beni Sutrisno, chairman of the Indonesian
Textile Association (API).

Earlier, Effendi Choirie of the National Awakening Party (PKB)
faction disclosed that some committee members also wanted to
summon Happy Hapsoro, Megawati's son-in-law.

But, legislators from the Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), which is chaired by Megawati,
suggested that he not be included on the list.

Choirie added that the possibility was still open to summon
Happy after hearing clarifications from the businessmen.

Happy is said to have had a role in the Sukhoi deal via
businessman Tong Djoe, who lives in Singapore.

PDI Perjuangan legislator Permadi, who rejected the
establishment of the inquiry team, expressed agreement with the
legislators' move to summon the businessmen.

Permadi said brokers for the defense ministry or the
Indonesian Military (TNI) who were involved in purchasing
military equipment had to be professional.

Fellow PDI Perjuangan legislator Meilono Suwondo, meanwhile,
said that the Sukhoi deal contained indications of nepotism.

"The presumption that there is nepotism involved in the Sukhoi
deal is nothing surprising," Meilono told the Post.

Meanwhile, the members of the inquiry committee kept on
divulging information on the Sukhoi deal. They were supposed to
have closed-door meeting on Thursday afternoon, but this was
delayed until unspecified date.

Some committee members revealed that the alleged
irregularities centered on the decision of the government to
appoint businessmen to handle the Sukhoi deal.

They questioned why the government appointed Manimaren
Sinivasan of Texmaco and Anton to broker the deal despite the
presence of many experienced companies.

"There are many textile manufacturers, but why did the
government chose Texmaco? That is the problem," Djoko added.

Both Permadi and Meilono were not worried that the moves by
politicians through the inquiry committee were designed to
tarnish Megawati's image ahead of the 2004 elections.

Choirie, deputy chairman of House Commission I on political,
security and defense affairs, pledged that the inquiry committee
would adhere to constitutional principles.

He said the inquiry committee was a manifestation of the
supervisory role of the House.

"I have no targets. But if the politicians use this for their
own interests, it will be unavoidable as this is a political
forum," Choirie said.