Suspect Akbar back to House, claims he is still in control
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Corruption suspect House Speaker Akbar Tandjung reported back to work on Wednesday, declaring that he was still the speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR).
Akbar, who is standing trial at the Central Jakarta District Court for allegedly misusing Rp 40 billion (US$4.1 million) of State Logistics Agency (Bulog) funds in 1999, arrived at the House at around 10 a.m., accompanied by his driver only.
He appeared rather depressed.
A dozen Golkar legislators, including Golkar faction chairman Marzuki Achmad, secretary Daryatmo Mardianto, Hafiz Zawawi and Evita Asmalda, welcomed Akbar at the main door of the House building.
However, none of the four deputy speakers welcomed Akbar's return to the House.
"I have decided to come even though the House is currently in recess ... as the House speaker, I am allowed to come at any time," Akbar told the media upon his arrival.
His arrival at the House challenged mounting public demands that Akbar, 56, had to resign from his post as speaker of the House, one of the country's highest institutions, on the grounds that he had lost his moral authority to lead it.
His visit to the House on Wednesday was his fist since he was freed from detention on Friday.
Akbar assured that his activities at the House would not disrupt the current trial process at the Central Jakarta District Court.
"I meet regularly with my lawyers to discuss the trial and my presence here doesn't mean that I'm ignoring the trial," said Akbar, adding that if legislative programs conflicted with court trial schedules, he would choose to attend the court hearing.
Akbar was apparently referring to statements by deputy House speaker Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and Ali Masykur Musa of the National Awakening Party (PKB) that he should focus on the trial.
Legislators also planned to form a committee of inquiry into the scandal, but deferred the decision, pending a court verdict.
Akbar said he was allowed to go anywhere as long as the journey did not disturb the trial process.
"I am free. I can go to the regions or travel out of town as long as the journey doesn't affect the trial," Akbar said.
Several Golkar legislators were seen visiting Abkar at his office. They included Ade Komaruddin, Baharuddin Aritonang, Bomer Pasaribu, Darul Siska and Datuk Labuan.
A legislator from President Megawati Soekarnoputri's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Aberson Marle Sihaloho also visited the beleaguered Golkar chairman.
Akbar, the highest official taken to court for corruption, was released from detention last Friday on the personal guarantee of his wife, Krisnina Maharani.
His release sparked speculation that Golkar had reached a covert political deal with the ruling PDI Perjuangan, as Akbar's codefendants, Dadang Sukandar and Winfried Simatupang, have been denied such a privilege. Another corruption suspect, Rahardi Ramelan, had his detention extended by 60 days by the South Jakarta District Court.
Akbar refuted the speculation on Wednesday.
"We know that the legal process cannot be affected by any opinion from outside. Let's trust the legal process," he said.
Akbar said that a suspect should be considered innocent until proven guilty by the court and, based on the principle of the presumption of innocence, a suspect should be allowed to perform his duties until he was declared guilty.