Military Police plan to question Ghalib

Military Police plan to question Ghalib

JAKARTA (JP): Chief of Military Police Maj. Gen. Djasrie Marin
said on Saturday he would summon suspended Attorney General Andi
M. Ghalib in connection with a bribery allegation aimed against
him.

But Djasrie was quick to add that Ghalib's questioning would
take place when there was enough evidence to do so. He said a
lack of evidence would enable a suspect to easily refute
allegations against him or her.

The military police is seeking approval from the central bank
to investigate Ghalib's bank accounts, but the mandatory permit
has so far not been issued yet. The latest request was made by
National Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi, according to Djasrie.

President B.J. Habibie suspended Ghalib, an active lieutenant
general, as attorney general early last week following reports
made by the Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) that he allegedly
took bribes from business tycoons Prayogo Pangestu and The Nin
King. Ghalib insisted the money was a contribution to the
Indonesian Wrestling Association (PGSI) which he chairs.

Ghalib, a target for criticism for his sluggish efforts in
probing corruption allegations involving the former first family,
the Soehartos, returned to service with the Indonesian Military
(TNI) following his suspension.

Deputy attorney general Ismudjoko was installed as the acting
attorney general on Friday, only after furor stemmed from
Habibie's choice of Coordinating Minister for Political and
Security Affairs Gen. (ret) Feisal Tanjung for the vacant post.

Djasrie said six of the nine witnesses in the case included
Taher, the PGSI treasurer, secretaries of both Prayogo and The
Nin King, and The Nin King.

In Ujungpandang, ICW executive Teten Masduki was forced to
spend Friday night at city police headquarters for security
reasons following threats of attack from a group of local people.

Police put Teten under close watch since Teten arrived on
Thursday morning until he left for home on Saturday. Teten was
there to address a discussion on legal advocacy and corruption
eradication.

A throng of students led by an Association of Indonesian
Muslim Students (HMI) activist identified as Syawaluddin Rala,
broke into the hotel where the discussion which featured Teten
was being held on Friday evening.

The angry students screamed while asking about the whereabouts
of Teten, who had already left the forum. The students accused
Teten of disgracing the Bugis tribe, to which Ghalib belongs.

Teten said he anticipated a hostile reception from parts of
the local community following his disclosure of Ghalib's alleged
bribe taking.

"I don't think the unfriendly treatment represents the
response of Bugis people to Ghalib's case. I'm here to clarify
that we do not target Pak Ghalib because he is a Bugis but of his
position as the attorney general. We will treat whoever holds the
post the same way," Teten said.(27/amd)