Legislators propose inquiry into Bulog, Brunei scandals

Legislators propose inquiry into Bulog, Brunei scandals

JAKARTA (JP): Legislators from four major factions submitted a
proposal on Wednesday for an inquiry into the Rp 35 billion State
Logistics Agency (Bulog) scandal and the confusion surrounding a
US$2 million donation from Brunei.

The proposal, signed by 237 legislators was submitted by
Rusydi Hamka, chairman of the United Development Party's faction
in the House of Representatives, to House Speaker Akbar Tandjung

"For reasons of efficiency we decided to unite 'Bulogate' and
'Bruneigate' in one inquiry," Rusjdi said of the two scandals
plaguing the government.

Rusjdi was accompanied by Ade Komarudin from the Golkar Party,
Zulvan Lindan from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
(PDI Perjuangan) and Alvin Lie from the Reform faction.

Akbar supported the proposal, saying that it is a part of the
House's duties to control the government.

"We will soon submit the proposal to the House consultative
body," Akbar, who is also Golkar chairman, said.

Based on the House's internal procedures, it is the
consultative body which decides when the proposal will be
discussed and decided upon at a House plenary session.

If the plenary session accepts the proposal, the House will
then set up a special commission of inquiry to investigate the
two cases.

In the Bulog scandal, police so far have detained former Bulog
deputy chief Sapuan as a suspect while President Abdurrahman
Wahid's masseur Suwondo, who is believed to have received the
funds from Sapuan, is still at large.

Sapuan claims that he released the funds from a Bulog
foundation because he believed Suwondo was acting on behalf of
the President who was to use the money for Aceh relief aid.

The second case involves Abdurrahman Wahid's acceptance of a
donation from the Sultan of Brunei for Aceh aid which was not
included in the state funds by the President as he claimed it was
a personal donation.

Rusydi on Wednesday said the investigation should not be
limited to the Rp 35 billion in question but should rather cover
all of Bulog's non-budgetary funds.

There have been suggestions that the scandal could also hurt
the Golkar Party.

House Commission III for agriculture and food affairs earlier
revealed that Bulog's non-budgetary funds, worth some Rp 395
billion, were being used by several businesspeople without being
properly accounted for.

A sum of Rp 35 billion was disbursed to, among others, Alvin
Arifin, son of former Bulog chairman Bustanil Arifin, and another
Rp 40 billion to Bustanil's nephew, Jony Syarif.

Rusydi also denied that the proposal was submitted in reprisal
for a possible inquiry by the National Awakening Party (PKB) into
a brewing scandal over the Civil Servant Housing Savings' Scheme
(Taperum) which allegedly involves Akbar.

Separately, PKB legislator Rodjil Gufron supported on
Wednesday the proposed inquiry into the Bulog scandal.

"But it also has to investigate all of Bulog's non-budgetary
funds," Rodjil, who is a member of House Commission II for
domestic and legal affairs, said.

On the Taperum scandal, he said his faction has yet decide
whether to propose that the House set up an inquiry team.

But he said the PKB is urging the police and the Attorney
General's Office to investigate Akbar who was Taperum's chief
and state minister of public housing between 1993 and 1998 for
alleged misuse of funds worth Rp 179.9 billion.

"The President has been questioned by police about the Bulog
case, so Akbar should not refuse to be questioned by police over
the Taperum case," Rodjil remarked. (jun)