Pressure mounts against Akbar, Golkar in Bulog scam

Pressure mounts against Akbar, Golkar in Bulog scam

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Public pressure has been increasing for the House of
Representatives to set up a special committee in charge of
investigating the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) scam involving
some Rp 40 billion (US$4 million) allegedly perpetrated by Golkar
Party chairman and current House Speaker Akbar Tandjung.

"If the allegation is true, to the best of my knowledge, this
is the dirtiest example of money politics I've ever known,"
Todung Mulya Lubis, one of the top lawyers in the country, said.

"This is too big to be neglected. There must be a special
committee (set up) to investigate this alleged scam," he told The
Jakarta Post after participating in a workshop to discuss the
possible establishment of a constitutional commission.

It could lead to the dissolution of Golkar if the allegation
is proven, he added.

Todung explained that if former Bulog chairman Rahardi Ramelan
confessed that he had handed over Rp 40 billion to Akbar, then it
did not make sense that Tandjung then said he simply forgot which
foundation he had channeled the money to.

"It is quite a great deal of money," he reiterated.

In an earlier inquiry at the Attorney General's Office,
Rahardi said that in addition to the Rp 40 billion he gave to
Akbar in 1999, another Rp 10 billion was given to former TNI
chief (ret.) Gen. Wiranto.

Officials from Golkar did not intend to issue an official
clarification regarding those executive members alleged to have
been involved in the corruption case, according to Syamsul
Mu'arif, the party's secretary-general.

"We will leave the case to the legal authorities and refrain
from making any political moves as it will just interfere with
the current process," Syamsul, who is also minister of
communications and information, said on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Teten Masduki of Indonesia Corruption Watch said
Akbar must quit his current post as the House speaker if the
authorities officially decide to investigate his role in the
scam.

Teten said Tandjung's statement, which confirmed that he
indeed received the money from Rahardi, can be used as the basis
to investigate him.

"The money which was supposed to be used to support the poor
was misused for political purposes intended to help his party. He
must have known about that matter," Teten said.

Teten said that the National Election Commission needs to
thoroughly probe Golkar over these allegations.

Existing Political Law No. 3/1999 stipulates that a political
party is allowed to receive donations of not more than Rp 150
million from a third party for its operation or campaign.

"Rp 40 billion is far beyond the law's limitation. Golkar can
be dissolved for that," Teten said.

Separately Wiranto said on Thursday that the alleged graft
case was not related to the Ministry of Defense and Security as
an institution.

"The minister and the military chief did not directly accept
the money. We have an accountability mechanism for the use and
possession of such funds," Wiranto said before meeting with Amien
Rais, speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly.

Wiranto said he and the officials at the ministry would
disclose any information needed to shed more light on the case.

"In due time, of course, the defense ministry and the military
commander will give their explanations on this matter," he said.