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)