Legislators disappointed over convicted Akbar's Vietnam trip

Legislators disappointed over convicted Akbar's Vietnam trip

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The nation's dignity is at stake as disgraced Akbar Tandjung has
insisted on leading an Indonesian delegation of legislators to
the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) conference in Hanoi,
legislators have said.

Bringing with him the newly acquired status of a convicted
criminal, House of Representatives Speaker Akbar will receive the
IPU ex-officio chairmanship on behalf of the legislatures of
Southeast Asian countries in Hanoi, as Indonesia will host the
meeting next year.

"The House is a symbol of our nation, it just doesn't feel
right to have Akbar there representing us," said Ali Masykur Musa
of the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction on Saturday.

Despite his legal status, he will be free to go, as neither
the Attorney General's Office nor the judges who sentenced him to
three years in jail for corruption have imposed a travel ban.

In comparison, Bank Indonesia Governor Sjahril Sabirin was
barred from traveling overseas following his sentencing to two
years for graft earlier this year. The Jakarta High Court
acquitted him of all charges last month.

Akbar looks set to depart on Sunday with his head held high as
he secured the full support of Golkar chapters across the country
during a party plenary meeting that concluded in the small hours
of Saturday morning.

House secretary-general Siti Nurhajati Daud confirmed on
Saturday there were no changes to Akbar's travel plans.

Akbar was found guilty of embezzling Rp 40 billion (about
US$4.5 million) in state funds. He pleaded not guilty and remains
free, pending his appeal, refusing to step down from his post as
House speaker and chairman of the Golkar Party.

Legislators have urged Akbar to relinquish his speakership
while also asking him not to leave for Hanoi.

"The public is asking whether Akbar is suitable to represent
this country," said Imam Addaruqutni of the Reform faction.

He was confident though that IPU would not raise the issue of
Akbar's legal status during the meeting.

"If it's possible to replace him without causing inconvenience
to the host (Vietnam) then it's better that way," said legislator
Ahmad Chozin Chumaidy of House Commission II, which oversees
legal affairs. Ahmad hails from the United National Development
Party (PPP) faction, the third-largest in the House.

"It's a tricky problem, as this kind of meeting requires a
House speaker," Ahmad said.

Legislator Paulus Widiyanto of the Indonesian Democratic Party
of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) agreed that Akbar faced a difficult
choice but might go anyway as Indonesia would be hosting next
year's meeting. "There is no (House) ruling that bans Akbar from
leaving."

Siti said Akbar would be staying in Hanoi until Sept. 11, on
which day Akbar, representing Indonesia, would receive the IPU
chairmanship for the region. The conference runs from Sept. 8
through Sept. 12.

The IPU, she said, gathered annually to discuss political and
economic matters and lately, more intensively, human rights
issues. "There's a wide range of topics that don't necessarily
have anything to do with interparliamentary cooperation but can
concern the state of affairs of each member country," she said.

However, sending a convicted corruptor to Hanoi would be
inappropriate, said legal expert Harkristuti Harkrisnowo of the
University of Indonesia.

Akbar's lawyer Amir Syamsuddin was quoted by Antara as saying
that Akbar was not yet a convicted corruptor until the final
verdict.

Speaking to Golkar members, who gathered on Friday to decide
Akbar's fate, Amir said a person became a convicted criminal only
after a final court decision. Wednesday's verdict by a lower
court was not final, he said.

But Harkristuti insisted Akbar was a convicted criminal.

"The case may have been appealed but the verdict has been
delivered, and the appeal doesn't change his status," Harkristuti
said.

She added the Criminal Code allowed judges to exercise their
own discretion on whether to jail someone immediately after a
verdict or defer the sentence pending an appeal.

According to her, Akbar should stand back from his position as
House speaker until the outcome of the appeal. "What's stopping
him but pride?" she observed.