Jakarta – A businessman offered a bribe to a special parliamentary committee to stop investigating a financial scandal that allegedly involves Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid, a committee member has said.

Legislator Ade Komaruddin said one of his colleagues had been approached by the businessman, who promised a bribe of 25 billion rupiah (S$4.6 million) if the special committee immediately stopped its probe into the embezzlement of 35 billion rupiah from the National Logistics Agency (Bulog).

"My fellow legislator was offered the bribe by a businessman who wanted the committee to stop its activities. Unfortunately, my friend didn't mention the name," Mr Ade told reporters. He said the businessman presumably was a loyal supporter and close friend of Mr Abdurrahman.

If the special committee of the House of Representatives had accepted the bribe, each of its 50 members would have received 500 million rupiah.

Mr Ade said his friend had told the businessman that the committee would be disbanded only after Mr Abdurrahman gave an honest explanation and then resigned from the presidency. The parliamentary team has repeatedly denied claims that its main goal is to unseat Mr Abdurrahman.

Mr Ade also said the majority of the committee members would not accept a bribe. "But I can't ensure that all of them would refuse a bribe," he said.

The House has consistently supported the committee's probe into the Bulog scandal even though Mr Abdurrahman said the formation of the committee was illegal.

The President has long been on a list of officials to be summoned for their alleged role in the affair. He was supposed to appear at the House for questioning on Nov 15 but failed to show up because he was overseas.

Former National Police chief General Rusdihardjo has testified that Mr Abdurrahman confessed to him earlier this year that he was involved in the Bulog scandal. Mr Abdurrahman and his supporters have maintained their innocence.