PDI-P fully supports committee to investigate Akbar, says Roy
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Palangkaraya
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) has said it fully supports the establishment of a House of Representatives (DPR) special committee to investigate the alleged misuse of the State Logistics Agency's (Bulog's) funds, totaling Rp 40 billion, by House Speaker Akbar Tandjung.
"We fully support the establishment of a special committee to investigate the alleged misuse of Bulog funds by Akbar since we are determined to create a clean and accountable government," PDI Perjuangan deputy chairman Roy Janis said here on Tuesday.
Briefing the media after the party's weekly meeting, Roy stressed that PDI Perjuangan would always listen to the aspirations of the public at large.
"The public has doubts about the legal processing of the case. The establishment of a House special committee to examine the alleged corruption will lend credibility to the ongoing legal process," he said.
Over 50 legislators from virtually all factions in the DPR submitted a motion to House leaders in October calling for the establishment of a special committee to investigate corruption allegations against Akbar.
Akbar, who is also the chairperson of the Golkar Party, is accused of taking Rp 40 billion from Bulog when he served as State Secretary in 1999.
Akbar admitted to receiving Rp 40 billion from Bulog, but denied that the money was for his own or Golkar's use.
According to him, the funds were channeled directly to the little-known Raudhlatul Jannah Islamic Foundation to buy basic commodities for distribution to people most affected by the economic crisis, which had beleaguered the country since 1997.
Dadang Sukandar, chairman of the Raudhlatul Jannah Islamic Foundation, admitted that he had received Rp 40 billion from Akbar to help people affected by the prolonged economic crisis.
PDI Perjuangan deputy secretary-general Pramono Anung said his party's support for the establishment of a committee to investigate Akbar would not hurt the administration of President Megawati Soekarnoputri.
"All factions in the People's Consultative Assembly urged the government to fight corruption, collusion and nepotism. The public would immediately realize it if the government used a double standard for Akbar," he said.
Being the second-largest party in the House, Golkar played a pivotal role in ushering Megawati into the presidency, replacing Abdurrahman Wahid last July.
Meanwhile, deputy House Speaker A.M. Fatwa of the Reform Faction called on law enforcers to speed up the investigation into corruption allegations against Akbar in order to ensure legal certainty.
"The so-named Buloggate II case should be processed transparently to avoid creating frustration in law enforcement," Fatwa was quoted by Antara as saying in Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, on Tuesday.
He said the public was awaiting the government's firm stance in dealing with the high-profile case, which, many had said, could tarnish the image of Akbar and Golkar.
Fatwa, also a deputy chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), said his faction in the House would support calls for the legislature to establish a special committee to investigate the scandal, should other factions give their approval.
He said the motion submitted by 50 legislators in October would still be discussed specifically at a House meeting later this month.
The Presidium of the Indonesian Nationalist Students Movement (GMNI) and the Indonesian Islamic Students Movement (PMII) called on Tuesday for Akbar's resignation as House Speaker, saying he was no longer suitable for the post.
They also urged the Attorney General's Office to conduct an intensive inquiry into Akbar and his cronies within Golkar, following rumors that the scandal had been used by the party in a political barter.
GMNI Presidium Chairman Bambang Romada told The Jakarta Post that there was a clear indication of political bartering between Golkar and other parties during last week's People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Annual Session.
"The MPR Annual Session has shown that such a political move took place when parties, whose interests were threatened by Golkar, used the Akbar case as a bargaining chip. Meanwhile, Golkar, which doesn't want its political image damaged, used any means whatever to save Akbar," he said.
"This cannot be allowed to go ahead. Akbar should quit from his post and the Attorney General should complete the investigation into the case as soon as possible."
PMII Secretary General Hasan Abdulrochim said it was not credible that the legal authorities could not take Akbar to court. "The PMII central board will ask Akbar to take responsibility in the case by resigning as House speaker."
However, both PMII and GMNI doubted the government's sincere investigation into the scandal and its courage to try Akbar.
"The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, which controls the administration, will likely make use of the Akbar case as a means of retaining its bargaining position, in order to continue in power," Hasan said.