Marzuki dismisses rumors about his replacement

Marzuki dismisses rumors about his replacement

JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Marzuki Darusman dismissed on
Friday speculation that he would soon be replaced over his
failure to prosecute major corruption cases.

"I've just met with President Abdurrahman Wahid at Merdeka
Palace. No, we did not discuss any Cabinet reshuffle. I consulted
the President about several general matters," Marzuki told The
Jakarta Post on Friday evening.

"I told the President that (former Minister of Finance) Ali
Wardana has been named a suspect over alleged corruption at
investment and securities firm PT Bahana Pembinaan Usaha
Indonesia," he said.

PT Bahana is one of 22 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) that
suffered combined losses of Rp 27.78 trillion (US$2.7 billion)
last year. PT Bahana recorded Rp 3.34 trillion in losses, a
government report stated.

Marzuki said the meeting lasted from 9:15 p.m. until 9:40
p.m..

In response to speculation over a Cabinet reshuffle, Marzuki
said, "I did not hear the President say anything about that (a
Cabinet reshuffle). And I did not raise the issue."

Marzuki said that the President must decide on any plan to
reshuffle the Cabinet.

"It's up to the President to raise the issue. It's also up to
the President to do the reshuffle," he said.

Rumors were rife that Marzuki would be replaced by incumbent
Minister of Justice and Human Rights Baharuddin Lopa. Rumors also
suggested that Cabinet Secretary Marsilam Simanjuntak was a
candidate for the post of Attorney General.

Should Baharuddin take over the Attorney General position it
has been suggested that incumbent Minister of Defense Mahfud M.D.
would fill his position, while Marzuki would move into Mahfud's
current position.

Asked whether the status of former minister of mines and
energy Ginandjar Kartasasmita as a suspect was part of his
maneuver to maintain his position in the Cabinet, Marzuki said:
"What's been happening regarding Ginandjar was a long process
because he was abroad (participating in a lecture program)."

When asked about Abdurrahman's statement on Friday in
Ponorogo, East Java, regarding a deadline at the end of this
month for the prosecution of all major corruption cases, Marzuki
said: "I consider the statement as a stimulus ... There's nothing
wrong with that." (byg)