House seeks government explanation of Buyung issue

Abdul Khalik ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 03/24/2008 1:10 AM  |  Headlines

Lawmakers would ask Monday the government's explanation of issues surrounding the recent interrogation of presidential advisor Adnan Buyung Nasution and former attorney general Abdul Rachman Saleh in Singapore.

Members of the House of Representatives' Commission I on defense, security and foreign affairs Yusron Ihza Mahendra said Sunday he was curious to know if the lengthy questioning was related to a Bank Indonesia Liquidity Support (BLBI) debtor Sjamsul Nursalim or the escape of terror suspect Mas Slamet Kastari from Singapore's maximum security prison.

"Although Bang Buyung has denied rumors, we need the government's clarification," Yusron said.

The Commission would hold a hearing Monday with Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo Adi Sucipto and Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda.

Sjamsul, a tycoon who fled the country following a probe into alleged embezzlement of BLBI funds, was Buyung's former client. Although Buyung was no longer handling Sjamsul, his law firm still listed the tycoon as a client.

The Attorney General's Office announced on Feb. 29 it had dropped investigations into Sjamsul, citing a lack of evidence. Two days later, the Corruption Eradication Commission arrested prosecutor Urip Tri Gunawan, who led the investigation, for receiving US$660,000 in cash from Artalita Suryani, a businesswoman close to Sjamsul.

Commission I chairman Theo Sambuaga said the lawmakers had the right to grill ministers over the Singapore incident.

"But I believe Buyung and Arman who say they were in Singapore for a medical check-up. We know they have high integrity," Theo said.

At a press conference Saturday upon their return from Singapore, Buyung dismissed reports linking him with Sjamsul, saying he just accompanied Abdul Rachman for a health check.

"I have not been in contact with him (Sjamsul) for long. If it's true, why would I bring Arman (Abdul Rachman)?," Buyung said.

The Singaporean foreign ministry said in a statement Buyung and Abdul Rachman were held at a Changi immigration room in a routine random check.

"Such interviews are part of enhanced security measures which have been in place for several years, whereby some visitors are randomly subjected to more thorough checks," the statement read.

Yusron questioned why a routine interview would last two hours.

"With such a strong data base, they should have known both men. I suspect the Singaporean government knew there was something going on with Sjamsul," he said.

Buyung and Abdul Rachman, a designate ambassador to a European country, visited Singapore using ordinary passports, even though they hold official passports.

Buyung said he had asked fellow presidential advisor and former foreign minister Ali Alatas to file a protest demanding an explanation and apology from the Singaporean government as soon as possible this week.

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