Legislators demand investigation into Akbar

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Abu Hanifah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Support to set up a House of Representatives special committee to investigate alleged misuse of funds belonging to State Logistics Agency (Bulog) by House Speaker Akbar Tandjung gathered momentum on Tuesday, while the Golkar Party vowed to do its utmost to protect Akbar, the party's chairman.

At least 50 legislators, more than the 10 lawmakers required, from five factions in the House of Representatives (DPR) submitted a petition to DPR leaders on Tuesday calling for the House to investigate the alleged unlawful disbursement of Rp 40 billion (US$4 trillion) in Bulog funds to Akbar when he was state secretary during the leadership of former president B.J. Habibie.

The five factions that signed the petition were the National Awakening Party (PKB), the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), the Crescent Star Party (PBB), the United Development Party (PPP) and nonparty faction members.

Ali Masykur Moesa of PKB told reporters on Tuesday that the petition would be read out in Wednesday's plenary meeting, the last day before the House goes into recess.

The meeting is also expected to decide on whether or not a special House committee should be set up to investigate the case.

PDI Perjuangan deputy secretary-general Pramono Anung said that the party had a clear stance against corruption and would support efforts to unravel the case.

PDI Perjuangan sources said party chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is also the President, had already instructed party legislators to solve the case but with minimum cost to the current government.

Former defense and justice minister Mahfud MD also supported calls for the House to investigate the scandal.

"A House special committee pursued an investigation into former president Abdurrahman Wahid while the legal process proceeded in court," Mahfud said, adding that he was ready to testify if the committee needed witnesses.

National Law Commission (KHN) chairman JE Sahetapy suggested that the probe into the graft allegation against Akbar be carried out both by the Attorney General's Office (AGO) and the House.

He said that as Golkar chairman, Akbar's case should be managed by the Attorney General's Office, while as speaker of the House the case should be handled by a special House committee.

"We must examine this case wisely. Akbar should be held accountable," Sahetapy told The Jakarta Post here on Tuesday.

Golkar legislator Ferry Mursyidan Baldan, however, warned on Tuesday that his party would strike back should the House decide to form a special committee to investigate Akbar.

"Don't push Akbar to play his trump card, it would affect many people, including the current government. Remember, the People's Consultative Assembly's Annual Session is drawing near," Ferry said on Tuesday.

The Annual Session, at which the President must present a progress report speech, starts on Nov. 1.

"Don't turn the case into a political issue because we will fight it with political means. Don't blame us if we do that," said Ferry, adding that the police were now handling the case.

Slamet Effendy Yusuf, chairman of Golkar faction in the House, said there was no need to form a committee to investigate the alleged scandal since legal proceedings were already being taken against Akbar.

"The allegation is clear, the legal process in the prosecutor's office is under way. Pak Akbar has already pledged to explain everything before them and the prosecutor has sought permission from the President (to investigate him)," Slamet said in a seminar discussing the possibility of forming a constitutional commission to amend the Constitution.

Akbar admitted earlier that he received Rp 40 billion in Bulog funds from then Bulog chief Rahardi Ramelan, but said he donated the money to a foundation. He claims to have forgotten the foundation's name.

Sources told the Post on Tuesday that Akbar was willing to resign as Golkar chairman but refused to give up his position as House speaker, saying the position was the prime achievement of his political career.