Megawati evades Sukhoi probe as House kills resolution

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Members of the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I for security affairs rejected on Monday a resolution to officially hold President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Industry and Trade Minister Rini Soewandi responsible for the "unlawful" purchase of four Russian Sukhoi warplanes and two assault helicopters.

The commission accepted in full the report submitted by its special committee investigating the alleged unlawful procurement of two Su-27s and two Su-30s as well as two Mi-35 assault helicopters from Russia in April.

The report, which calls for some type of admonishment for the government officials involved in the deal, which included a counter-trade component, will be submitted to DPR leaders by Commission I.

The unwillingness by the commission members to hold Megawati and Rini accountable in the high profile deal virtually kills the resolution, which was drawn up by legislators from the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction.

"We regret the rejection of other factions in the House's defense commission. Those involved in the unlawful deal should be penalized," said Effendi Choirie, deputy commission chairman from PKB faction after the faction's internal meeting here on Monday.

In addition to Megawati and Rini, the PKB faction demanded that Indonesian military chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto and State Logistics Agency (Bulog) head Widjanarko Puspoyo be held responsible.

The House's defense commission set up an inquiry committee on June 30, 2003 to launch a probe into alleged irregularities in the purchase, which was finalized on April 24.

Some legislators claimed that corrupt practices had taken place in the US$192.6 million deal.

After questioning several figures and government officials knowledgeable about the deal, the committee said that the Sukhoi purchase was justified.

Choirie said the committee of inquiry learned that the counter-trade deal had violated both national defense and state budget laws, therefore the committee should recommend penalties for those involved.

Fellow PKB legislator Chatibul Umam Wiranu concurred with Choirie, saying that the plan to summon the President over the issue could not be executed due to the rejection of other factions.

Separately, chairman of House Commission I Ibrahim Ambong disclosed that other factions disagreed with the opinion of PKB and said that legislators must not interfere into legal matters.

Ambong, however, said that there was still an opportunity to follow up on the findings of the inquiry committee.

"There is still a chance to follow up the inquiry. It depends on the 'interpretation' by each legislator," Ambong told the press.

With the final meeting into the Sukhoi purchase, Ambong said that the inquiry committee was dissolved and its 24-page report would be given to the House leaders.

It remains to be seen whether legislators will still continue the investigation into the purchase of Sukhoi jets.

Meanwhile, the mechanics have finished putting together the aircraft and test flights were planned on Sept. 11.

The aircraft will also be on display at the commemoration of the Indonesian military (TNI) anniversary on Oct. 5.