Letter critical of transprot ministry sparks ruckus
Letter critical of transprot ministry sparks ruckus
JAKARTA (JP): Golkar called for an end to the controversy over a letter reportedly written by a senior official to President Soeharto over irregularities at the Ministry of Transportation.
Moestahid Astari, chairman of the ruling grouping faction at the House of Representatives (DPR), also called on the public in general and others to let the government resolve the issue.
"Give the government the opportunity to solve the problem by its own mechanism," he said. "I believe the government wouldn't want to let this case drag on too long, creating public controversy, nor would it turn a blind eye to it."
"Let's leave things up to the President," he said.
The controversies arose following reports that copies of a letter from Secretary General of National Development K. Harseno, whose position is under the State Secretariat, to President Soeharto, have been circulating in public for some time.
The letter is said to contain details about irregularities, such as embezzlement, taking place in companies under the aegis of the Ministry of Transportation.
Harseno was quoted by the Media Indonesia daily as confirming yesterday that he did draw up "a memorandum, containing in-depth reports on the ministry" and send it to the President. "It's my duty," he said, but declined to give any details about the document.
The leaders of the United Development Party (PPP) faction have reportedly requested a meeting with Harseno in order to ask for clarification. Moestahid said his faction would also welcome an opportunity for dialogs with Harseno.
Political observer Amien Rais was quoted by Media Indonesia as saying yesterday that there were actually three documents circulating, one of which was counterfeit.
There was no explanation how Amien became privy to the information. Amien himself could not be reached for comments yesterday.
The daily also reported the directors of state-owned railway company Perumka and bus company DAMRI, both under the management of the Ministry of Transportation, denying any knowledge of the letter.
Anwar Supriyadi, former director of Perumka, refused to comment when asked by the press about a certain amount of non- budgetary funds that the company spent under his management.
"I really can't remember," he reportedly said, and suggested that the press check with his successor, Soemino.
Soemino, however, also refused to comment except to say that he did not know anything about the letter.
Moestahid said he did not know whether the letter was original, but wondered how it could have fallen into somebodies hand and subsequently circulated in public.
"We should bring the letters to the police criminal laboratory for examination," he said. "How does our bureaucracy keep secrets, anyway? Aren't those documents classified? How sad," he said.(swe)