PDI-P, PKB propose probe into other scandals, bombings
PDI-P, PKB propose probe into other scandals, bombings
JAKARTA (JP): After completing the investigation into the
Bulog and Brunei financial scandals, the House of Representatives
is set to investigate past major corruption cases. These include
the Rp 144 trillion (US$15.1 billion) Bank Indonesia Liquidity
Support (BLBI) funds and several projects of the state-owned oil
and gas company Pertamina, and the Christmas Eve bombings.
House Speaker Akbar Tandjung confirmed on Friday that the
House leadership has received at least three proposals for
investigation into corruption scandals and last year's Christmas
Eve bombings in the country.
"The proposals for the investigation will be introduced at the
next plenary session to gain support from the House," Akbar said.
On Thursday, the House censured President Abdurrahman Wahid
and agreed to issue a memorandum over his alleged involvement in
the Rp 35 billion Bulog scandal and the US$2 million donation
from Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.
Tumbu Saraswati, deputy chairperson of the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction, said more
than 50 PDI Perjuangan legislators have put their signatures on
the proposal for the investigation into the corruption cases.
"The proposal, which has also gained support of other
factions, is expected to be endorsed by the House in the
immediate future," she said.
Tumbu said the PDI Perjuangan faction recommended in the
proposal that the House investigate several projects that had
brought Rp 143 trillion in material losses to the state.
"In the Balongan project, the government has reportedly
suffered Rp 2.5 trillion in material losses, while a total of
$157 million could not be accounted for in seven oil and
liquefied gas exploration projects in Bunyu and Prabumulih in
Sumatra, and Pendopo and Jatibarang in Java.
"Corruption also allegedly occurred in several piping and
technical assistance projects," she said.
Meanwhile, the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction
confirmed on Friday that it had submitted three proposals for the
investigation into the alleged irregularities found in BLBI
funds, non-budgetary funds in Bulog and the Christmas Eve
bombings.
Abdul Kholiq Achmad, secretary of the PKB faction, said the
proposals had gained the support of more than 110 legislators
from PKB, PDI Perjuangan and the Love the Nation Democratic Party
(PDKB).
"The proposals have been submitted to the House leadership and
are expected to be discussed at the plenary session soon," he
said.
He said the PKB faction proposed an investigation into the
BLBI scandal despite the ongoing probe by the Attorney General's
Office because the House is expected to reveal all those
allegedly involved in the scandal.
"An audit report from the State Audit Agency reveals that 96
percent, or Rp 134.4 trillion, of the Rp 144 trillion BLBI funds
have been embezzled and none of the 157 persons who were
allegedly involved in the scandal have been jailed," he said.
"A similar target is expected from the investigation into the
alleged leakage of trillions of rupiah of Bulog's non-budgetary
funds," he added.
Kholiq said the House should also carry out an investigation
into the recent bombings to apply pressure on all parties,
including the government and the Military, to help reveal the
mastermind behind the bombing incidents.
"The Christmas Eve bombings must have been well organized and
involved a huge amount of money as they occurred at about the
same time," he said.
He denied speculations that his faction proposed the
investigation into the scandals in retaliation for the maneuver
by certain groups who have been trying to topple President
Abdurrahman, who is also the founder of PKB.
He said the investigation into the Bulog and Brunei scandals
was a good precedence for an open campaign against corrupt,
collusive and nepotistic practices. (rms)