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)