Akbar Tanjung Embedded in Corruption Scandal

INDONESIA - House Speaker Golkar party leader in corruption scandal

Jakarta (Fides) – Public pressure is mounting for the resignation of House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung a key suspect in a high-profile corruption case and detained by state prosecutors. On March 14 he was charged with abuse of power and corruption. Tandjung is said to have misused 4 million dollars belonging to the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) when he was state secretary in 1999. Tandjung also chairs the Golkar Party the second largest political body in Indonesia and an important partner in the coalition that sustains President Megawati Sukarnoputri. Observers fear the sandal may destabilize Megawati’s government.

Calls for the Tandjung’s resignation come from many sides. Chairman of the Justice Party Hidayat Nurwahid said it is not good for the House to be chaired by a person accused of corruption. Teten Masduki from the Indonesian Corruption Watch has voiced the same concern. Other political leaders say the House Speaker should respect high ethic and moral standards and that Tandjung’s resignation would facilitate the legal process.

The scandal dates back to the general election campaign in 1999. It is alleged that Tandjung helped divert US$ 4 million to finance the Golkar’s campaign. Three other men are involved: Winfried Simatupang a businessman, Dadang Sukandar, chairman of the little known Raudhatul Jannah Foundation, and former Bulog chief/Minister of Industry and Trade Rahardi Ramelan. The money diverted was intended for humanitarian aid for the poor.

So far Tanjung has denied any wrongdoings. However Simatupang handed in more than US$ 3 million saying that the rest will be returned by the end of the month. "The public wants to know who used Bulog funds" Fides was told by some Jakarta citizens. "The return of the money proves that it had not been used for the purchase of food for the poor. So where did the money go?" asked Trimedya Panjaitan, a noted lawyer asked. "How did Simatupang reimburse such a large amount of money in only two days? Frans Darno, another citizen who sees several bizarre developments in the case, asked Fides.

Arbi Sanit, a political analyst from Jakarta University of Indonesia, even said that Tandjung’s detention is part of the Golkar Party’s strategy to rescue itself from the brink of political catastrophe. Since last year the Golkar has repeatedly rejected public demands for the establishment of a special inquiry team in the House and preferred to settle the case through legal proceedings. (5/4/2002)