Mahfud clarifies allegation of Golkar's misuse of funds
Mahfud clarifies allegation of Golkar's misuse of funds
JAKARTA (JP): Defense Minister Mahfud MD denied on Tuesday
diverting the public's attention from two financial scandals
involving President Abdurrahman Wahid through leaking accusations
over the alleged misuse of State Logistics Agency (Bulog) fund by
Golkar Party in the 1999 general election.
Mahfud said his revelation was aimed at "promoting honesty in
politics".
He said his 'reliable source close to the Cabinet' had
informed him that Golkar had taken a Rp 90 billion (US$9.5
million) fund belonging to Bulog to finance its electoral
campaign in 1999.
The House of Representatives on Jan. 29 decided after four
months of investigation to issue a memorandum of censure to the
President for his role in the fraudulent withdrawal of Rp 35
billion belonging to Bulog employees foundation (Yanatera) and
his acceptance of $2 million humanitarian assistance from the
Sultan of Brunei.
"If the alleged misuse of Rp 35 billion Bulog funds resulted
in a strong censure from the House, why has a much bigger case
been ignored? It's quite reasonable for the House to set up a
special committee to investigate the bigger issue (of Golkar's
alleged misuse of Bulog funds)," Mahfud said after installing
several top echelon officials in his ministry.
Mahfud said he welcomed the House's censure of the President
as a political decision, but he regretted the "unlawful attempt
to manipulate the conclusion of the House special committee".
The investigation into the two financial scandals concluded
that the President "is believed to be involved", but the House
verdict stipulated that the President "is guilty".
Mahfud also dismissed demands to dissolve Golkar by saying the
New Order was not identical with the former ruling party.
"Some former Golkar executives are now joining other political
parties," he said.
New Order, according to Mahfud, dealt with a political spirit
rather than a political organization.
"Such a political spirit could be found almost anywhere, not
only in Golkar," Mahfud said.
Meanwhile, Golkar deputy secretary general Syamsul Muarif
pleaded his party's innocence in the alleged misuse of Bulog
funds for its electoral campaign.
"All political parties have submitted their financial report
of the use of their election funds to the Supreme Court. Golkar
itself has been cleared from any malfeasance," Syamsul said.
Syamsul suggested that Mahfud file a complaint with the police
over this issue, in case certain Golkar members received the fund
on the party's behalf. (02/dja)