Legislators say Gus Dur should honor summons

Legislators say Gus Dur should honor summons

JAKARTA (JP): The showdown between President Abdurrahman Wahid
and the House of Representatives (DPR) looks set to extend as
leading legislators insisted on Wednesday that the President
should obey a summons by a House special committee in connection
with two financial scandals.

House Speaker Akbar Tandjung said that for the sake of the
supremacy of law, all citizens, including a president, should
heed a House summons.

"I think, if the House officially sends a summons, there is no
reason for the people concerned not to appear," Akbar, who is
also chairman of the Golkar Party, said.

He said the House had the right to summon people for inquiry
as stipulated in Law No. 4/1999 on the composition and status of
the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the House (DPR) and
regional legislatures.

"In principle the people concerned must appear, except due to
medical reasons," Akbar remarked.

The law says those who refuse to obey a summons could face a
maximum one-year jail sentence.

On Tuesday, the House's special committee tasked with
investigating the alleged mishandling of Rp 35 billion of the
State Logistics Agency (Bulog) and a US$2 million donation from
the Brunei sultan for humanitarian aid in Aceh decided to summon
some 30 people, including Abdurrahman.

After a regular consultation meeting with House leaders later
on Tuesday, Abdurrahman said he would give a written answer
instead of honoring the summons, saying he could only face a
House plenary session.

MPR Speaker Amien Rais backed Akbar's statement, saying that
Abdurrahman should honor the summons because the President and
the House are equal according to the Constitution.

"I think Gus Dur should appear if the House's special
committee summons him to explain Bulog-gate, Brunei-gate and
other gates," said Amien, who is also chairman of the National
Mandate Party (PAN), in reference to the President.

He said the President's refusal to obey the summons was in
contempt of the House and would only create new tension between
them.

The committee's chairman, Bachtiar Chamsyah, insisted that the
committee would summon Gus Dur if witnesses testified against the
President.

"If there is strong evidence of Gus Dur's involvement, we will
summon him," Bachtiar of the United Development Party, said on
Wednesday.

He refused to comment further on Gus Dur's refusal to appear
before the committee, saying that it would create public polemic
and disguise the substance of the investigation.

Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra
defended the President's stance, saying it was not mandatory for
the head of state to heed a summons.

"It depends on the President whether to honor the House's
invitation," Yusril announced after a hearing with House
Commission II for legal and domestic affairs.

Asked about the jail sentence for those who defy a summons,
Yusril said the punishment did not apply in this case because the
issue was not related to a crime.

"It's not that easy, if not impossible, to execute the
ruling," Yusril, who is also chairman of the Crescent Star Party
(PBB), said. (jun)