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)