Forgive, but forget not<\/p>\n
The debate about whether or not President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri should use her prerogative to halt the corruption
\ninvestigation into former president Soeharto misses the point of
\nthe exercise: The search for truth.<\/p>\n
When Soeharto stepped down in May 1998, there was widespread
\nagreement about the need to investigate the more than three
\ndecades of his misrule. Questions were being asked about the way
\nhe rose to power, the way he held onto power for 32 years, and
\nthe way he stepped aside. All were characterized by bloodshed.<\/p>\n
There is also the biggest legacy that his ruthless regime left
\nbehind: Massive corruption that brought this nation to the brink
\nof bankruptcy, while his family and cronies continue to live in
\nabundance.<\/p>\n
The current criminal proceedings against Soeharto that
\nPresident Megawati is considering halting -- on compassionate
\ngrounds because of his age and deteriorating health -- is but
\none, a very minor one, of his many misdemeanors.<\/p>\n
As sick and frail as Soeharto is, this is the man who brought
\nuntold misery to people, the man who brought this nation to near
\nself-destruction, and the man who rose to power and then held on
\nto it through lies, deception and probably even murder.<\/p>\n
For President Megawati to order that the corruption
\ninvestigation be halted amounts to intervention in an inquest
\ninto Soeharto and his sins. Abdurrahman Wahid, whom Megawati
\nreplaced in July, had more statesmanship when he said that he
\nwould issue a presidential pardon if Soeharto was convicted by a
\ncourt.<\/p>\n
The whole point of the exercise is not to exact revenge,
\ncertainly not on an old and sick man, but to get to the truth.
\nAnd it would help the economy, the impoverished people and the
\ndebt-laden government, if the court could retrieve part of the
\nbillions that Soeharto's children and cronies plundered.<\/p>\n
Idul Fitri and Christmas have certainly brought about this
\nforgiving mood, but in Soeharto's case, there is nothing to
\nforgive yet because he has not been proven guilty in court. The
\ntruth has yet to come out before anyone, most of all the
\nPresident, can be so forgiving. Neither Soeharto, nor his family
\nmembers or lawyers, has ever publicly admitted his guilt.<\/p>\n
For what it is worth, this controversy has made more urgent
\nthe establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission to
\nlook into the entire misdeeds of Soeharto's New Order regime. The
\nlegal approach is cumbersome, piecemeal, time-consuming and -- as
\nthe tiny corruption case against Soeharto has proven --
\nineffective. An alternative approach is needed.<\/p>\n
A truth and reconciliation commission would expand the
\ninvestigation beyond Soeharto for it would also include other key
\nmembers of his regime. Such a commission could help the entire
\nnation come to terms with our dark past, and put it all behind us
\nonce and for all.<\/p>\n
Let us be forgiving by all means, but never forget history.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/forgive-but-forget-not-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }