SUMMONING PRESIDENT FOR CENTURY HEARING "INAPPROPRIATE" : AKBAR

Solo, C Java, Jan 19 (ANTARA) - The Golkar Party fully supports the House Bank Century Committee's efforts to settle the scandal but considers the wish to summon President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono "inappropriate and irrelevant", a spokesman said.

Golkar Party chief patron Akbar Tanjung made the statement here on Tuesday on the sidelines of a Golkar Party district level consultation meeting here on Tuesday.

Akbar on the occasion denied rumors that President Yudhoyono and Golkar Party leader Aburizal Bakrie had reached a deal to remove Finance Minister Sri Mulyani from her post, adding if there was a replacement of any cabinet minister now, it would be the president's prerogative.

"The Golkar Party has no interest in replacing the president's aide (minister) and put a Golkar figure in her place," Akbar said.

According to Akbar, all policies including monetary policies, were made by presidential aides although the president also makes policies.

The Golkar party only hopes that the Bank Century case can be immediately settled because there are still many crucial pending matters which need to be tackled.
Regarding the critical stance of Golkar party faction in the House Inquiry Committee, Akbar believed that it is still at the normal level as a parliament member who has obligation to criticize the executive's policy.

Meanwhile, House Inquiry Committee chairman Idrus Marham said on Monday that the committee would summon eight economic experts to share their analyses and opinions about the Bank Century case.

Among the eight experts would be Kwik Kian Gie (banking analyst), Erman Rajagukguk (banking law professor), Rizal Ramli (economist), Christianto Wibisono (economist) and Ichsanuddin Noorsy (economist).