Benny and Gayus in Fierce Debate, Hearing Suspended



A fierce debate between members of the ligislature's inquiry committee investigating Century Bank erupts again, Thursday, regarding the expert witness. This time, committee deputy chuef Gayus Lumbuun and member Benny K. Harman argued. The hearing had to be suspended for around three minutes.

The argument was triggered when Benny questioned the capacity and competence of Ichsanuddin Noorsy as an expert witness for political economy. "Mr. Ichsanuddin claims to be an economy expert, but what is the credential of expertise?"

Before Ichsanuddin could answer, Gayus who was leading the hearing opposed Benny's way of questioning. According to Gayus, Benny shouldn't have asked that and questioned Ichsanuddin's expetise. His reasoning is that Icsanuddin has been summoned before the committee because he is already an expert.

"If you're talking about the Law of policy perspective, how can you determine whether someone is an expert or not? What's the theory?" Benny asked. Gayus opposed Benny's question again. The PDI-P politician asked for Benny to just listen.

Benny, from the Democratic Party, responded to Gayus' opposition with a raised tone. Committee member Agun Gunanjar then also interrupted by stating the same objection as Gayus' on Benny. "I object this method of Benny's questioning, the reason is we've all agreed that these three people are to be summoned before the committee within the capacity of an expert."

Eva Sundari, from PDI-P, also objected, stating that the expert witnesses shouldn't be blamd. The hearing was continued after a short discussion among the fraction leaders in the committee and a deal was struck during the suspension.