Vaudine England and Agencies, Jakarta – The stakes were raised in Jakarta's potentially most explosive political corruption case yesterday when the Attorney-General's Office announced that the Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR), Akbar Tandjung, was now regarded as a suspect.
Mr Akbar is accused of misusing almost US$4 million of state funds while working as state secretary under former president Abdurrahman Wahid. He allegedly used the money for election funding in 1999 for the Golkar party, which he leads.
"We have obtained an approval from the President, dated January 5, to question Akbar Tandjung as a suspect," Attorney-General Muhamad Abdul Rachman said yesterday. Mr Akbar said he would respect the Attorney-General's decision. "If [prosecutors] ask me to give an explanation, I will do that," he said.
But he hinted he would not resign as Speaker unless he was convicted by a court. "Let's hold the principle of innocence before proven guilty. Before there's a binding legal decision, please presume I'm innocent. Let the law take its course," he said.
Mr Akbar maintains he distributed the money to the poor through a little-known foundation. His lawyers describe the charges as a politically motivated witch-hunt.
The politician was classed as a witness for months, and faced questioning about the funds. But by upgrading his status to suspect, the Government now seems to have signalled its commitment to upholding the law. At the same time, however, some members of President Megawati Sukarnoputri's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), which is dominant in the DPR, are opposed to a special parliamentary inquiry.
As President, Ms Megawati needs to be seen as impartial. But as party leader, she also knows she needs the continued support of Golkar and the legislature, which Mr Akbar can deliver, to sustain her time in office.
Deputy Speaker Sutarjo Suryoguritno put the matter beyond doubt yesterday, declaring that Parliament would form a Council of Honour to judge Mr Akbar. He said Mr Akbar could be dismissed if he was considered to have done wrong.
Analysts have pointed out that the PDI-P has within its grasp a perfect weapon – a possible conviction of Mr Akbar – which could disqualify Golkar from participating in the 2004 general elections.