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)