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.