Sukhoi Purchase Still Involves DPR
Thursday, 22 February, 2007 | 14:37 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: A number of members of the Defense Commission of the House of Representatives have said they regretted Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono’s statement that the upcoming Sukhoi aircraft purchase would not involve the House.

According to these members, even the purchase of small equipment sourced from the State Budget must have DPR approval.

The House members’ comments were in response to Juwono’s statement two days ago (20/2) that between now and to 2009, the Defense Department will order six Sukhoi aircraft for the Indonesian Air Force.

According to Juwono, the Defense Department does not need to consult with the DPR about the purchase of the Russian-made aircraft because the DPR had agreed the budget for purchasing one squadron of Sukhoi planes amounting to US$3.2 billion in 2006 (for the 2007 Budget).

However, Happy Bone Zulkarnain, a Defense Commission member from the Golkar Party faction, said that the old budget approval could not be used anymore.

Every year the House evaluates department’s budget.

“Let alone Sukhoi, even small equipment purchase, although it has been set in the previous budget, must still be based on House’s approval,” said Happy yesterday.

Djoko Subroto, another Commission member, said if the Sukhoi purchase is not approved by the Defense Commission, there was concern that there would be leaks.

“In terms of efficiency, we see that sometimes a department’s purchase could cause the state to suffer a loss,” said this former Commander of Military Area V Brawijaya.

Erwin Daryanto