Suspect's lawyer to disclose more names in rice scandal

Suspect's lawyer to disclose more names in rice scandal

JAKARTA (JP): R. Rambe, one of the team of lawyers of Ahmad
Zawawi, currently the sole suspect in the illegal rice
distribution in the capital, said on Tuesday that he was ready to
disclose other officials involved in the illegal practices.

Rambe said that the team of lawyers of Zawawi, the former head
of the Jakarta Logistics Agency (Dolog Jaya) which is in charge
of managing rice supplies in the capital, had obtained enough
data and evidence to uncover the allegations.

"We'll disclose everything about the illegal rice delivery
orders in court," said Rambe, who claimed to be the leader of the
20-member team of lawyers, "including those from the State
Logistics Agency (Bulog) and the Army".

He said that it was unlikely that his client `acted' alone in
Dolog Jaya and regretted that the police's investigation and
questioning were focused only on Zawawi.

Rambe, after visiting Zawawi at the city police's detention
center, said that police should consider that no one is immune to
the law.

"We'll name those who were involved in the illegal practices
both in Dolog Jaya and Bulog and pinpoint those from Zawawi's
superiors to his subordinates," he said.

Commenting on the condition of 56-year-old Zawari, Rambe said
that his client was basically healthy but was supposed to undergo
a health check.

As reported earlier, police were forced to adjourn the
questioning on Zawawi at least three times as the latter claimed
to be sick.

Appeal

Zawawi, who served about five months as the head of Dolog
Jaya, has been in police custody since Thursday.

Rambe also said that Zawawi's family had asked him to submit
an appeal to release him on bail to Jakarta Police Chief Maj.
Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman.

"The appeal was submitted last week, but so far I haven't
heard any news about our request," he said, adding that his
client was ready to be summoned anytime if police needed him.

The police, however, insisted that they would not accept the
appeal as he was still needed to help speed up the investigation.

Many people, including Governor Sutiyoso, urged the police to
complete the investigation into the case as soon as possible as
the alleged wrongdoings had caused difficulties for many
Jakartans.

People, particularly those on low-incomes, faced the scarcity
and skyrocketing prices of rice in markets due to the illegal
practices.

The city's demand for rice was estimated to be about 5,000
tons daily, but the agency distributed only about 2,000 to 2,500
tons per day and sold the rest illegally to rice distributors.

The retired colonel could be charged under Article 1 and 28 of
Law No.3/1971 on corruption and Article 1 of Law No. 11/1963 on
the controversial subversion law.

If found guilty in court, he will face a maximum of the death
penalty. (emf)