Rulling party hesitant to investigate Akbar

Rulling party hesitant to investigate Akbar

Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)
stood behind its decision to postpone the establishment of a
House of Representatives special committee to investigate House
Speaker Akbar Tandjung in a move that opposes protesters'
demands.

PDI Perjuangan deputy chairman Roy B. Janis reiterated on
Tuesday that it would only discuss the establishment of a House
special committee after the National Mandate Party (PAN) wrapped
up their national congress.

"PAN is the one who asked to postpone the discussion. We
agreed considering that this matter should be discussed and
decided on together," Roy said after a four-hour meeting with
Megawati Soekarnoputri and other PDI Perjuangan members at the
President's official residence in Central Jakarta.

Hundreds of protesters from the Petition 50 task force and the
New Order Watch Commission, went to the PDI Perjuangan office in
Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta to protest the party's
indecisiveness to investigate Akbar.

Other organizations, such as the Association of Islamic
Students (HMI), Marhaen People's Movement and the Communication
Forum of Islamic Parties, also took part in the protest.

The rally forced the party to move its meeting to Megawati's
official residence on Jl. Teuku Umar in Central Jakarta.

In regard to the rally, Roy said the party would weigh the
protesters' message.

As much as 52.2 percent of House members supported the
establishment of a special committee.

PDI Perjuangan remains undecided, but it is carefully
contemplating its move so as not to upset its fragile relations
with Akbar Tandjung and his Golkar party.

Although they have yet to announce an official stance, the
party has hinted that they would wait for the completion of the
legal process on Akbar, who is being tried for allegedly misusing
Rp 40 billion of State Logistics Agency (Bulog) funds.