Legislators ready to report bribery to police

Legislators ready to report bribery to police

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Legislator Indira Damayanti Sugondo said that she and three of
her colleagues were ready to report to the police the bribery
that took place when the House of Representatives discussed the
sale of Bank Niaga.

She said hopefully the move would jolt the police to start an
investigation into the case, which has further tarnished the
House's image.

"Essentially we're ready to be proactive. But we can't do it
right now because it's hard for us to meet and discuss the move,"
Indira of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan) told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

Indira claimed that she was offered a bribe by the Indonesian
Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) when it sought the House's
approval for the sale of a 51 percent stake in nationalized Bank
Niaga.

She said IBRA offered her US$1,000 with other reports citing
several House members received US$15,000. IBRA has denied the
charges.

Other PDI Perjuangan members who reportedly rejected the bribe
were Meilono Suwondo, Engelina Pattiasina and Budi Setiawan.

Indira said that Meilono was in China from where he told the
Post that he would not be back until next Friday. Budi just
arrived from a private trip to Europe, while Engelina could not
be reached, she added.

Plans to report the alleged bribery came after National Police
spokesman Insp. Gen. Saleh Saaf said news coverage was not enough
to begin an investigation and that they would need the House
members to file a report.

National Police deputy spokesman Brig. Gen. Edward Aritonang,
however said on Monday, that they had begun to gather information
based on the media reports over the alleged bribery.

"We're doing it step-by-step, it might lead to a probe," he
said without detailing the measures now taken.

Earlier, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker
Amien Rais, and House Speaker Akbar Tandjung, himself a convicted
corruptor, expressed agreement with a police inquiry.

Deputy House speaker Soetardjo Soejogoeritno promised to
follow up on the bribery reports.

"If it's true, there should be stern actions against those
involved," said PDI Perjuangan senior member Soetardjo, who had
also just returned from a trip abroad.

Several legislators over the weekend called for a disciplinary
council to probe the bribe allegations.

But analysts have doubted that House members were willing to
confront PDI Perjuangan -- the House's biggest faction -- with an
honorary council.

"It's irrelevant. Until there's evidence of a bribery we won't
need the council," said PDI Perjuangan faction chairman Roy B.B.
Janis.

The House's second biggest faction Golkar, is withholding
support for a council, with faction chairman Marzuki Ahmad saying
they would not initiate any moves.

"We'll wait for our friends at PDI Perjuangan, let's give them
a chance," he said.

Legislators have increasingly come under fire due to what
critics said was their low productivity, poor attendance during
House sessions, and constant politicking often at the expense of
public interests.