SBY can raise popularity by firing ministers Paskah and Ka'ban

Abdul Khalik and Desy Nurhayati ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Fri, 08/01/2008 11:53 AM  |  Headlines

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's commitment to corruption eradication is facing an acid test following a graft case in which two of his cabinet ministers are implicated.

During his testimony Monday in a case on the embezzlement of Bank Indonesia liquidity funds, Golkar Party lawmaker Hamka Yandhu said State Minister for National Planning Paskah Suzetta and Forestry Minister Malam Sambat Ka'ban received around Rp 1 billion and Rp 300 million respectively from BI officials to ease the way for amendments to the Bank Indonesia law in 2003.

Paskah and Ka'ban were then members of the House of Representatives' Commission IX on financial affairs.

Political analysts said Thursday both Paskah, a senior Golkar politician, and Ka'ban, who chairs the Crescent Star Party (PBB), have become liabilities for Yudhoyono's administration because of their involvement in the corruption case.

Indra J. Pilliang of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said although Yudhoyono's popularity was on the decline, he was widely viewed as being successful in maintaining security and fighting corruption.

"If he dares to suspend the two ministers, the public will see him as a true anti-graft champion. The tough measures will help him maintain, if not raise, his approval rating," Indra said.

Two recent surveys by Indo Barometer and CSIS revealed Yudhoyono had fallen behind Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) leader Megawati Soekarnoputri in public opinion polls.

Yudhoyono replaced justice minister Hamid Awaluddin and state secretary Yusril Ihza Mahendra in the latest cabinet reshuffle in May last year, following mounting public pressure calling for their exit for their links to graft cases. Investigation into the cases, however, has shown no development since the reshuffle.

University of Indonesia political scientist Arbi Sanit underscored the need for Yudhoyono to dismiss the two ministers to keep his cabinet's credibility intact and facilitate an investigation by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) into the two men.

"But ethically, it will be better if both of them tender their resignations," Arbi said.

While Yudhoyono has not directly addressed the issue, State Secretary Hatta Radjasa said the President respected the legal process of the case and would avoid interfering in it.

Hatta declined to say whether the President would summon the two ministers or replace them.

He added the presidential office had not received any request from the KPK for Yudhoyono's permission to question the ministers.

The KPK does not legally require presidential approval to launch an investigation into state officials, including ministers.

Members of the House of Representatives urged the KPK, prosecutors and judges to summon Paskah and Ka'ban to clarify Hamka's testimony.

"It is fair if the two testify in front of the court," said the Prosperous Justice Party's (PKS) Soeripto.

Gayus Lumbuun of the PDI-P said the KPK should investigate the involvement of both ministers, and seek further evidence in addition to Hamka's testimony to enable the body to prove the ministers' involvement in the case.

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