JP/4/heli
Legislators endorse purchase of four Mi-17 choppers
Kurniawan Hari The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
House of Representatives Commission I for defense affairs has done a turnaround and will allow the government to go ahead with the purchase of four Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters worth US$21.6 million in total.
However, the legislators demanded that individuals suspected of committing infractions in the procurement process be brought to court.
"We will support the purchase of the helicopters, but there must also be a legal process for those involved in offenses," Effendi Simbolon, a legislator who chairs a team assessing the procurement process, said here on Wednesday.
Effendi of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) did not name any suspects. Earlier reports suggested that Andy Kosasih from Singapore's Swifth Air allegedly manipulated contractual documents for the planned purchase.
Fellow legislator Hajriyanto Y. Thohari of the Golkar Party confirmed that Commission I members approved the purchase.
The endorsement, agreed upon during an internal meeting of the commission on Wednesday, negated a decision last year to reject the purchase.
After initially questioning several figures over alleged irregularities in the procurement process, the commission recommended that the defense minister cancel the purchase of the helicopters.
Commission I also demanded that Swifth Air, a mediator in the procurement, return the US$3.24 million advance payment.
It also said the decision made by the Army chief on Oct. 10, 2002 to name PT Putra Pobiagan Mandiri the winner of the tender in the chopper procurement lacked objectivity and transparency, and that it had to be reviewed.
It also urged the government to improve the standard operating procedures in the purchase of military equipment through export credit facilities.
Commenting on his commission's recommendations last year, Effendi Simbolon said the legislators would use them as a reference to assess the procurement process of the four choppers.
He acknowledged that Commission I reversed its initial decision and endorsed the purchase after receiving a letter from Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono on Nov. 1, asking the House to support the procurement of four Mi-17 helicopters.
"After assessing the condition of military equipment, we understand the need to purchase more helicopters," Effendi said.
He argued that the Mi-17s were carrier helicopters, with each capable of transporting two tons of materials or one platoon of soldiers.
The legislators hoped the helicopters would help speed up the mobilization of soldiers, he added.