No word from Mega on IBRA bribes

No word from Mega on IBRA bribes

JAKARTA: The National Police said on Monday they were waiting for
the necessary approval from President Megawati Soekarnoputri to
summon several legislators accused of taking bribes from the
Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA).

"We are awaiting for permission from President Megawati (to
question them)," Sr. Comr. Prasetyo, a spokesman for the police,
explained.

He said the police had filed a request for presidential
permission last Friday through the Attorney General's Office, but
added that no reply had been forthcoming yet.

Prasetyo promised that the police would summon at least 11
accused legislators, all from Megawati's Indonesian Democratic
Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), immediately after the
President's approval had been granted.

Under the law, the legal authorities must obtain presidential
permission to question legislators accused of involvement in
crimes.

The bribery allegations had tarnished the credibility of the
PDI Perjuangan after two of its legislators, Meilono Soewondo and
Indira Damayanti Soegondo, publicly admitted that they had been
offered US$1,000 over the divestment process of Niaga Bank by
their colleagues, who said that the money had come from the IBRA.
--Antara