Sukhoi inquiry to go ahead

JAKARTA: The House has decided to continue probing the controversial purchase of Russian-made Sukhoi warplanes.

"We will hear an explanation from the minister some time in September," Ibrahim Ambong said on Wednesday referring to Minister of Industry and Trade Rini M.S. Soewandi.

Rini had been summoned for clarification on the US$192.6 million deal but failed to show up.

Ambong of Golkar faction who is chairman of Commission I for defense affairs said that his inquiry was preparing a report of its investigation.

According to him, the inquiry could lead to three alternative outcomes: summoning the President, setting up a stronger investigating team, or agreement within the inquiry team. - JP