Police have no plans to question the President

JAKARTA (JP): To date the police have no plans to question President Abdurrahman Wahid in regard to the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) financial scam, a policeman said on Monday.

"We are also still waiting for the result of the case, which is still being examined in court," National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Didi Widajadi told reporters at his office on Monday.

Didi said questioning the President was not a priority, because in June last year the police questioned Abdurrahman over the Bulog scam.

During the questioning, police found no indication that Abdurrahman was involved.

Bulog's former deputy chief Sapuan and the President's masseur Agung Alip Suwondo are being tried separately for their alleged roles in the fraudulent withdrawal of Bulog funds. Sapuan could face 18 months in jail if convicted.

The House of Representatives two weeks ago submitted to the National Police chief and attorney general a memorandum on the President's alleged involvement in the Rp 35 billion (US$3.6 million) Bulog and $2 million Brunei scandals.

National Police chief of detectives Insp. Gen. Engkesman Hilep said the police and the Attorney General's Office agreed on Monday to divide the investigation of the two scandals.

The investigation into the Bulog scandal will be handled by the police while the Attorney General's Office will probe the Brunei affair, Engkesman said.

Meanwhile, presidential spokesman Yahya Staquf said on the same day that the President was ready to be questioned by the police for his alleged involvement in the two scams.

Yahya said that Abdurrahman was willing to be questioned before leaving on a two-week trip to the Middle East and Africa on Thursday.

Another presidential spokesman, Adhi Massardi, said that the President "wants to get to the bottom" of the case and that his willingness to be questioned was aimed at giving a clear explanation of the issues. (byg/jun)