Government stalling on Soeharto: Experts<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Prominent legal experts accused the government
\nof stalling investigations into former President Soeharto because
\nthey themselves may be emotionally tied to the past regime. The
\ninvestigations have now dragged on for eight months.<\/p>\n
Speaking in a discussion on Soeharto's legal status here on
\nThursday were the University of Indonesia's criminologist
\nHarkristuti Harkrisnowo and lawyers Todung Mulya Lubis and Hotma
\nSitoempoel.<\/p>\n
Todung said the government lacked a \"clear political
\ncommitment\" in investigating the case.<\/p>\n
He said it was unlikely that President B.J. Habibie would have
\nthe courage to bring his longtime mentor to trial.<\/p>\n
\"Their ties are too close,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Habibie served as minister in Soeharto's four cabinets for
\nalmost 20 years.<\/p>\n
Habibie is bound by the People's Consultative Assembly Decree
\nNo. XI to investigate Soeharto, his family and associates.<\/p>\n
On Monday Attorney General Ismudjoko is scheduled to submit a
\nfinal report on the investigation to Habibie.<\/p>\n
The report may also be announced to the public the same day if
\nso requested by the president.<\/p>\n
However, Harkristuti contended that there should be no need
\nfor the attorney general to seek the president's permission to
\nreveal the findings.<\/p>\n
\"I think my message for my friends at the attorney general's
\noffice is clear: Don't be sissies,\" Todung remarked.<\/p>\n
\"Whether or not they find any indications of corruption in
\ntheir investigation, let the public know about the result --
\nwhatever it may be,\" she added.<\/p>\n
\"Why should the reports go to Habibie first and be announced
\nlater after Habibie's approval?\" she retorted.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Hotma Sitoempoel stressed that political attempts
\nto stall the investigation or \"save\" Soeharto would only
\nbackfire, and sink the case deeper into the public's contempt.<\/p>\n
\"Take decisive actions; if law enforcers find indications of
\nlegal guilt, name Soeharto as a suspect, question him and bring
\nhim to trial. Only the courtroom will pronounce him guilty or
\nnot,\" he said, adding that he was also skeptical of the
\ngovernment's ability to take stern measures against Soeharto.<\/p>\n
Despite the seeming progress in the Soeharto investigation,
\nmany speculate the government will eventually drop the case for
\nlack of evidence.<\/p>\n
On Aug. 18, just days after Soeharto was rushed to hospital
\nfor intestinal bleeding, Minister of Justice\/State Secretary
\nMinister Muladi hinted that the investigation may be dropped due
\nto a lack of evidence. (emf)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-stalling-on-soeharto-experts-1447893297",
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