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