Wiranto denies ordering end to Ghalib probe

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Wiranto denied on Friday allegations that military headquarters instructed the military police chief to halt a corruption probe of Andi M. Ghalib.

Wiranto said there was no direct order from the military's top brass to Military Police Headquarters concerning Ghalib, who temporarily relinquished his duties as attorney general for the duration of the investigation.

"I've made clear guidelines to the military police chief and the head of the military's legal supervision agency that if he is guilty, he must be declared guilty.

"On the other hand, if he is not guilty, he must be declared not guilty," he said at Merdeka Palace.

The military police opened the investigation into Ghalib, an Army lieutenant general, after receiving a report from Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW). It alleged Rp 1.8 billion (US$259,740.25) was transferred to the accounts of Ghalib and his wife Andi Muniarti especially by two businessmen under investigation by his office.

The organization found 11 transfers to the couple's accounts in a private bank branch in South Jakarta between Feb. 12 and May 6. It said copies of the transfers were mailed to the ICW office by an unidentified party.

The source said the money was transferred by The Nin King and Prayogo Pangestu, who were being questioned by the Attorney General's Office for alleged banking violations.

Ghalib has denied the allegation, saying the money was a donation to the Indonesian Wrestling Association, which Ghalib chairs.

The city police, which also is involved in the investigation, named both Prayogo and The Nin King as suspects in the case.

Separately on Friday, Ghalib said he was satisfied by the outcome.

"I'm relieved," a smiling Ghalib said before addressing a media conference at a restaurant in Senayan, Central Jakarta.

He called on the government to rehabilitate his name and other parties, who have been connected with the allegations.

"I want the government to rehabilitate my name, my family, the Attorney General's office and the military headquarters. It's my obsession now," he said.

Ghalib said he would have to consider whether he wished to resume his duties as attorney general.

"Even if the government trusts me to resume the post, I have the right to think it over and over again," he said as quoted by Antara.

The possibility remains that Ghalib will return to replace Acting Attorney General Ismudjoko.

State Secretary/Minister of Justice Muladi separately suggested that the decision whether to reinstate Ghalib as the Attorney General should be delivered to President B.J. Habibie.

"It's up to the President to decide," he told reporters after a House plenary meeting on Friday.

Meanwhile, the coordinator of ICW's lawyers, Iskandar Sonhaji, said the military police could reopen the investigation into Ghalib if sufficient evidence was obtained.

"I was told by the military police's director for supervision and investigation Col. Hendardji that the investigation is not totally terminated, but we will continue gathered new evidence," Iskandar said after meeting Hendardji at the latter's office.

"We'll continue seeking new evidence and coordinate with the military police when the investigation could restart," he said. (prb/imn)