Govt to give Soeharto Rp 26.5b for house<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government was steadfastly standing by its
\ndecision to give former president Soeharto an Rp 26.5 billion
\nhousing allowance yesterday, arguing that it was standard
\npractice and in accordance with the law.<\/p>\n
The decision is based on law No. 7\/1978 which stipulates that
\nformer presidents and vice-presidents are entitled to certain
\ngratuities including a pension, appropriate housing, a car and
\nchauffeur, security guards and a waiver on paying telephone,
\nwater and electric bills.<\/p>\n
\"We all realize the (economic) situation we are facing... But
\nthat shouldn't lessen our appreciation of Pak Harto. In any case
\nit is upheld by law,\" Minister\/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung
\nsaid here yesterday after meeting with President B.J. Habibie at
\nthe Bina Graha presidential office.<\/p>\n
He pointed out that former vice presidents Adam Malik, Umar
\nWirahadikusumah and Sudharmono were accorded similar treatment.<\/p>\n
According to Akbar, Soeharto requested money instead of
\naccommodation because he already built a house. Rather than have
\nthe government purchase a new one he requested that he be
\ncompensated in accordance with the value of that house.<\/p>\n
The house in question is a 3,000 square meter structure built
\nin 1993 on a one hectare site at the Purna Bhakti Museum complex
\nin Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
It is not clear why the government was asked to pay for
\nSoeharto's house in East Jakarta and not the one in which he
\ncurrently resides on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta, which is
\nsmaller in size.<\/p>\n
During his 32 years as president, Soeharto refused to stay in
\nthe official presidential residence of Merdeka Palace and instead
\nchoose to stay in Jl. Cendana.<\/p>\n
News of the government's decision to grant a housing allowance
\nto the former president attracted strong words from Golkar
\nlegislator Paskah Suzetta, who criticized the decision during a
\nhearing with Minister of Finance Bambang Subianto on Monday.<\/p>\n
He said it was unwise to approve frivolous expenditure when
\nthe government was facing an unprecedented monetary crisis and
\npeople were starving.<\/p>\n
However, Akbar defended the decision yesterday, saying that
\nSoeharto should be given due recognition for his service.<\/p>\n
\"We all know Pak Harto for his dedication. We also realize
\nthat he is old. He is 77 and if we can give it to him now then
\nwhy must we postpone it,\" Akbar remarked, adding that the
\ngovernment had not yet transferred the money but would do so \"in
\nthe near future\".<\/p>\n
Separately the director general of budget affairs in the
\nMinistry of Finance, Darsjah, yesterday denied reports that the
\nmoney was transferred through Bank Indonesia on July 8.<\/p>\n
Other financial rewards going Soeharto's way will be a Rp 15
\nmillion monthly pension. The law stipulates that former
\npresidents will receive a pension equivalent to 100 percent of
\ntheir basic salary.<\/p>\n
Akbar also said that the government was in the process of
\nfinding a house for former vice president Try Sutrisno in the
\nplush Menteng district of Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Sources say the government is expected to dish out Rp 19
\nbillion for Try's house.<\/p>\n
When pressed by journalists, Akbar was reluctant to reveal
\nwhether Sukarno, Soeharto's predecessor, received the same
\nfacilities.<\/p>\n
\"I need to study that one further,\" he remarked.<\/p>\n
An aide to one of Sukarno's wives, Hartini, said her husband
\nnever received a house from the government.<\/p>\n
\"Bapak was never given a house by the government,\" Hartini's
\naide told The Jakarta Post yesterday.<\/p>\n
Hartini earlier yesterday said Soeharto not only refused to
\ngive a new house to Sukarno, but had seized his old house on Jl.
\nBatu Tulis in Bogor without any explanation. (prb)<\/p>",
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