Ali Masykur, who is also a member of the State Audit Board (BPK), said that possibly Dahlan has taken political channel only as a first step before he moves further to take the legal avenue.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - State-Owned Enterprise Minister Dahlan Iskan has opted to using the political channel in reporting alleged attempts by lawmakers to extort money from state firms, a Muslim scholar said.

"I think his choice to report the case to the House of Representatives (DPR)`s Ethics Council is politically motivated to arouse the people`s awareness of inappropriate behavior toward state money," Ali Masykur Musa, chairman of NU Muslim Scholars Association (ISNU), said here on Friday.

Ali, who is also a member of the State Audit Board (BPK), said that possibly Dahlan has taken political channel only as a first step before he moves further to take the legal avenue.

However, he suggested that Dahlan should use the legal channel in reporting the names of legislators who were alleged to have tried to extort money from state companies.

In connection with the alleged lawmakers whose names or initials have been circulating in the public, Ali said the DPR`s Ethics Council should clarify them soon in order that the issue would not turn into slanders.

"The ethics council should clarify and prove immediately whether Dahlan`s accusation is true or not. If the accusation is true, there must be a legal process but if not, their names should be rehabilitated soon," he said.

Ali said that in the run-up to the general election in 2014, a number of figures were trying to popularize themselves.

"It is just right for everyone in this country to seek for a political stage to gain support or appreciation," Ali added.

Dahlan has submitted to the DPR council of ethics eight names of lawmakers who were allegedly have tried to ask for tribute money to state firms.

On Monday, the minister fulfilled his promise revealing the names of legislators that have extorted state-owned companies to the DPR Ethic Council.

He however did not tell all allegedly involved in the case saying that he had only reported two and three cases that have been supported with accountable evidence.

To follow it up "now let the state-owned companies` board of directors concerned report them to the DPR`s Ethic Council (BK), the State Audit Board (BPK) or the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)," he said.

The minister that oversees 141 state-owned companies arrived at the DPR at 9.30am or an hour earlier than the schedule.

On why he would not tell the names to newsmen Dahlan denied he had been interfered saying he only would not like to impress as if he wanted to "clean up" other institutions.

He said what was important was he had met the BK`s summon and so it would up to BK to follow it up.

BK`s chairman, Prakoso, has earlier pledged he would investigate the case and if Dahlan`s report was true sanctions would certainly be given to those involved and he would also report the case to the law enforcement agency.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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