PKB faction not to react to report on Bulog scandal
JAKARTA (JP): The National Awakening Party (PKB) faction stated Thursday that it would not take any political action as a result of the special committee investigation of the Bulog scandal.
"We hope the result of the committee should be clear of any political nuances and the report will be objective," faction member Ali Masykur Moesa told The Jakarta Post.
The party is a strong supporter of President Abdurrahman Wahid.
Ali said the House of Representatives should consider the legal aspects of the case instead of considering political measures over the scandal allegedly involving Abdurrahman.
"Let each faction decide how to react to the result ... we will ignore all political currents of the case," Ali, who is also a committee member, remarked.
The faction's position regarding the findings of the special committee was determined in a meeting held Wednesday night.
The special committee is investigating Abdurrahman's alleged involvement in the fraudulent receipt of Rp 35 billion (US$3.7 million) from the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) by his masseur and the status of $2 million given to Abdurrahman by the Sultan of Brunei, which the President claims was a personal gift.
The committee is scheduled to reveal the results of its investigation at the House plenary session on Monday.
The biggest faction in the House, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) will discuss its position on Friday at the party's general session, which will be attended by Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is also chairperson.
"The party's executive board will announce the faction's position concerning the result on Friday," faction member Sophan Sophiaan said.
The faction held a meeting on Wednesday night at the party's headquarters, but members refused to comment about the meeting saying that Megawati instructed that the discussions should remain confidential for now.
Sources of the Post, however, said it was likely the party would not pursue further political action to follow up the findings of the committee.
"The faction considers the House is not a judicial body, so the committee will just report the case to the House general session and leave it there as legal action should follow up the result," the source said.
The second largest faction at the House, the Golkar Party, will decide its position on Jan. 30 after the House plenary session, according to Golkar member, Ade Komaruddin.
"We will consider what to do on Jan. 30, because according to the House Consultative Body every faction will announce their stance on Feb.1," he told the Post, adding that Golkar would follow up on the case.
Deputy speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) of the Indonesian Military (TNI)/National Police faction, Lt. Gen. Hari Sabarno, said on Thursday that the House could not topple the President due to the Indonesian political system which does not recognize an impeachment mechanism.
"Even if the House's special committee has announced their investigation and declared that Gus Dur is involved in both financial scandals, it takes more than four months to ask him to resign," Hari said on the sidelines of a seminar at TNI headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta.
Hari said that based on the Constitution, the House might recommend a memorandum concerning Gus Dur and ask MPR to hold a Special Session.
"But the validity of the first memorandum is only three months. If Gus Dur gave no satisfactory answer, the House might issue a second memorandum which would be valid for one more month.
"The Special Session could only be held if the House is still unsatisfied with Gus Dur's answer. The House should respect this mechanism," Hari said.
Hari refused to confirm the military was exerting a strong influence to support or to topple Gus Dur, saying that the most influential faction was the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle.
"But if all of the political parties and the Indonesian people asked Gus Dur to resign, TNI should stand on that reality," Hari said. (dja/02)