Wahid faces fresh questioning over scandals

Protesters for and against Wahid have filled Jakarta streets

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- The Attorney General's office is to question Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid over two financial scandals.

Wahid would be asked to give information as part of a legal probe into the scandals, Attorney General Marzuki Darusman told reporters on Saturday.

Darusman's probe is distinct from an earlier investigation conducted by a parliamentary committee.

"The president will be subject to the investigation . . . in the near future," Darusman said. "As a citizen, he will be asked for information."

Wahid would be questioned as a witness, not a suspect.

On Monday Parliament censured Wahid a second time over his role in the scandals, worth a total of $6.1 million, taking the Muslim cleric one step closer to possible impeachment.

The Attorney-General's office is using fresh evidence provided by parliament to look into the scandals.

Wahid, long under fire for his erratic rule, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and rebuffed calls to step down.

One scandal involves the theft of $4.1 million from the state commodities regulator Bulog, and the other Wahid's acceptance of a $2 million aid donation from the Sultan of Brunei outside formal government channels.

Police last year questioned Wahid over the Bulog case but took no further action.

Wahid has until the end of the month to reply to the latest parliamentary rebuke but many analysts say it is looking increasingly unlikely he will be able to hang on to his job much longer and he could face impeachment in August.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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