Legislator grilled over bribery

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Police questioned House of Representatives legislator Indira Damayanti Sugondo of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle on Wednesday as a witness in a bribery case allegedly involving the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA).

"I came here in response to a police summons as a witness in a bribery case linked to the divestment of Bank Niaga," Indira told reporters before being questioned at National Police Headquarters.

Indira was accompanied by her lawyer Bambang Widjojanto.

She said that during her questioning she told the police that a number of envelops containing US$1,000 each were distributed to House members by her party colleague, Dudhie Makmun Murod, following a meeting between the House banking committee and senior officials of the bank restructuring agency.

"But, I returned it (her envelope)," Indira said.

Suspicions of bribery surfaced following Indira's statement to the media that she was offered the money. Four other legislators, Meilono Suwondo, Engelina Pattiasina, Habil Marati and Daniel Budi Setiawan confirmed Indira's account.

"I don't know whether the other legislators who received the money returned it," said Indira.

However, Indira brushed aside allegations that the money was linked to the divestment of a 51 percent stake in Bank Niaga, which was then being discussed by the House banking committee.

Indira remarked that a number of state institutions gave money to legislators following hearings in the House.

"Most of the money is given in cash," Indira said.

Indira tendered her resignation as a legislator after her faction failed in May to support a motion to set up a special committee of inquiry into the alleged role of House speaker Akbar Tandjung in corruption involving the State Logistics Agency when he was the state secretary/minister in 1999. PDI Perjuangan chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri has not responded to Indira's move.