House to summon Bulog chief over Sukhois

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

House of Representatives Commission I for defense and foreign affairs will summon Minister of Industry and Trade Rini Soewandi and State Logistics Agency (Bulog) chief Widjanarko Puspoyo to shed light on the countertrade deal for the Russian Sukhoi jet fighters.

During a state visit to Russia late April, President Megawati Soekarnoputri signed a memorandum of understanding on the purchase of four Sukhoi fighters and two MI-35 helicopters to beef up the country's security.

While recognizing the importance of the Sukhoi fighters for the country's defense, commission members charged that the purchase did not follow normal procedure.

"We will seek information from the minister of industry and trade and the Bulog chief," said Ibrahim Ambong following a hearing with Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto here on Monday.

During the five-hour hearing, several legislators criticized the purchase of the Russian jets through a countertrade, saying the process was not transparent.

The legislators said the government did not inform the House of its intention to purchase the Sukhois, and that the House only learned of the deal when President Megawati had already signed the memorandum of understanding during her visit to Russia last month.

Endriartono refused to give a detailed explanation of the issue, saying the military was just the "end user" of the jet fighters, while the purchaser was Bulog.

Based on a contract between TNI, Bulog and Russia, the total cost of the four Sukhoi jet fighters and two MI-35 helicopters was US$192.6 million.

That cost includes the financing for support equipment, pilot training and mechanic training.

According to Endriartono, Indonesia made the down payment (13.5 percent of the total cost) in cash, while the remaining will be paid with 30 commodities, including palm oil and rubber.

"The money spent for those commodities will be taken from the general allocation fund (in the state budget)," the military chief said.

Meanwhile, Air Force chief Marshal Chappy Hakim said on Monday the four Sukhoi jet fighters were still in standard condition, with no weaponry.

Chappy said the purchase of the Sukhois would help the Indonesian Military reduce its dependence on the United States, which continues to impose a military embargo against Indonesia.

According to Chappy, 98 percent of the country's defense equipment was made in the U.S.

"Until today, the embargo is still in effect. Our defense equipment will all be in need of repair in the next few years," Chappy said.

He said the purchase of the Sukhois would also enable TNI to conduct joint military exercises with Malaysia, which earlier purchased one squadron of Sukhoi jet fighters.

Separately, President Megawati said the purchased Sukhoi jet fighters and MI-35 helicopters from Russia would replace obsolete military equipment, Antara reported.

She made the statement during a visit to the Air Force Academy in Yogyakarta on Monday.