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.