PDI-P supports police investigation of bribery scandal

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

To put an end to the controversy over a case of alleged bribery at the House of Representatives, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) expressed its support for legal processing to verify the allegation.

PDI Perjuangan deputy chairman Roy B.B. Janis said on Tuesday that the party would not interfere in the police investigation into 11 party legislators over the case.

"Although the internal investigation the party carried out failed to get come up with any proof of bribery, we welcome a police investigation into the case," Roy said, after the party's weekly meeting.

"We (the party's central executive board) will not stop any party members who wish to take the case through the courts," he said, adding that no disciplinary action would be taken against them.

Bribery marred the credibility of the country's largest party, PDI Perjuangan, after two of its legislators, Meilono Soewondo and Indira Damayanti Soegondo, publicly admitted that they were offered US$1,000 over the divestment process of Niaga Bank by their colleagues, who said that the money had come from the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA).

The two said that almost all legislators from the party on House Commission IX on finance received the money from Dudi Makmun Murod, another legislator from the party.

Both Indira and Meilono were questioned by the police earlier last week, but Dudi filed a police report against the two on Monday for defamation.

When asked whether the latest development would shift the focus of attention to Meilono and Indira, despite the fact that they had refused the money, Roy said the party could not determine how the police dealt with the case.

"I do not know how the police work, but our party will not interfere in the case nor take sides with one or other of the parties," he added.

Roy said that as far as he knew, Indira had been summoned by the police to finalize her account of the case.

Party secretary-general Pramono Anung said that an internal investigation of the legislators found no evidence of bribery.

He underlined that the money was given months after the divestment process had been approved by the House in April, before the replacement of then IBRA chief I Gde Putu Ary Suta by incumbent Syafruddin Tumenggung.

"Giving money is more like a habit at the House, and the party welcomes any probe into such practices," Pramono stressed.

Separately, National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Saleh Saaf said on Tuesday that the police had submitted a letter requesting the President's approval for questioning the 11 PDI Perjuangan legislators allegedly involved in the case.

He said the letter had been submitted via the Attorney General's Office on Tuesday.