NGOs call on DPR members to investigate Akbar Tandjung
Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Legal analysts on Monday cast doubt on the Attorney General's investigation into Akbar Tandjung's alleged misuse of State Logistics Agency (Bulog) funds, demanding a House of Representatives Honorary Council to also be held to ensure fairness and transparency.
Several non-governmental organizations (NGO) asserted in a media briefing here that the findings of the Attorney General's Office (AGO) so far merely absolved the alleged "lies" being perpetrated by the House speaker.
"The investigation could be more objective and transparent if it is conducted in the House," Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) coordinator Teten Masduki told journalists.
Teten based his assertions on the existing political rivalry between members of the House, contending that various perspectives would ensure a certain amount of objectivity.
"There will be an abundance of press coverage, and factions would be pro or against the issue," he argued.
The AGO is investigating the alleged misuse of Rp 40 billion from Bulog funds during the time of Akbar's tenure as state secretary/Cabinet secretary.
Akbar has been summoned twice as a witness in the case and legislators have also pushed for the creation of a special committee to investigate the House speaker and Golkar Party chairman.
Teten highlighted the psychological importance for the House to clear-up its own affairs in this matter as it could help restore the already-tarnished image of the legislature.
"If he is corrupt, how can he control corruption in the government?" Teten remarked as he spoke on behalf of the NGOs which included the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI), the Independent Network for a Civil Society (JARI) and the Institute for Transparency of Information (ISAI).
According to the NGO group, there was no basis for the AGO to refrain from naming Akbar as a suspect, because they have repeatedly acknowledged that he lied.
But even if the proposal for an Honorary Council is accepted, there remains ambiguities.
The composition of the council and the mechanisms to enforce the decisions taken are unclear. Additionally, the sanctions can range anywhere from warnings to a dismissal if they were to actually find him at fault.
Bambang Widjojanto of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (LBHI) said Akbar's case can serve as a test case to see if legislators can uphold justice among themselves.
"We shall see if it is (the Council) all not just rubbish," Bambang remarked while suggesting the whole Buloggate II affair is really about systematic corruption during President B.J Habibie's era.
Teten concurred: "Whether Akbar accepted the funds is not entirely the point. We believe the irregularities started from a limited cabinet meeting led by Habibie (in March 1999) which assigned Akbar to take the funds for the social safety net program," Teten said.
Teten further feared that the case may be exploited by President Megawati Soekarnoputri to make political bargains, particularly since any possibility of a House investigation depends largely on her party -- the Indonesian Democratic Party for Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), which has the most seats in the House.
"We'll just have to wait and see if Ibu Mega asks her party to establish a special committee or an honorary council," Teten remarked.