PKB faction not to react to report on Bulog scandal

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)