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)