House urged to continue presidential investigation

House urged to continue presidential investigation

JAKARTA (JP): About 1,000 people from various labor and
student organizations assembled at the House of Representatives
building here on Friday to express support for the House special
committee probing corruption scandals allegedly linked to
President Abdurrahman Wahid.

The groups included Gaspermindo and the PPMI Muslim labor
union, the Islamic Youth Front (Front Gemuis) and students from
the University of Indonesia, the Bandung Institute of Technology
(ITB) and the State Accounting Institute (STAN).

Front Gemuis spokesman Nadjamudin Ramly said his group
demanded a swift and thorough investigation despite the fact that
the House was now officially in recess.

"We urge the House to postpone the recess in the case of the
special committee so it can continue its probe," said Nadjamudin,
who is also deputy chairman of the Pemuda Muhammadiyah, a youth
wing of the second largest Muslim organization Muhamadiyah.

House Speaker Akbar Tandjung said on Friday that he had to be
informed by the committee members as to whether it would continue
its probe during the recess which will last until the middle of
January.

"The commission can continue the investigation in so far as it
does not interfere with its members' (regular) duties during the
recess," Akbar, who is also chairman of the Golkar Party, told
representatives from Front Gemuis and Gaspermindo.

He said the House would only take a stance on the issue and
decide whether to send a memorandum to the President once the
committee had completed its investigations and presented its
recommendations.

During his speech marking the closing of the House's second
session on Friday, Akbar also reiterated that the committee had
been set up in accordance with the House's function of
supervising the executive.

"The committee does not aim to interfere with the law," he
added.

The committee plans to question the President about his
alleged role in the withdrawal of Rp 35 billion from a State
Logistics Agency (Bulog) foundation and a US$2 million donation
he received from the Sultan of Brunei Hasanal Bolkiah.

Meanwhile, the committee's chairman Bachtiar Chamsyah asserted
that committee members have decided to continue the investigation
during the recess.

"The decision taken is in line with the increasing show of
support from many sides," he said. (rms/jun)