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.