Megawati evades Sukhoi probe as House kills resolution

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.