Habibie protecting Ghalib<\/p>\n
Once again the public must swallow its vexation. The hope that
\nPresident B.J. Habibie would discharge, or at least suspend,
\nAttorney General Andi M. Ghalib has been overturned. Habibie has
\npreferred to take the more lenient action of auditing Ghalib's
\nwealth.<\/p>\n
Obviously, this kind of action does not satisfy the public.
\nStill, this is the reality people have to accept. It demonstrates
\nHabibie's insincerity in fighting corruption. There are many who
\nargue that Habibie has no choice but to protect his subordinates
\nsince the unity of the government corps must be maintained.
\nFurthermore, he had to avoid humiliating a subordinate. In any
\ncase, by taking this stance, Habibie has further damaged his
\nreputation.<\/p>\n
Some people have their own presumptions regarding the roles
\nthat Habibie and Ghalib are at present playing, for instance with
\nregard to former president Soeharto. For example, it is
\nspeculated that Habibie's appointment of Ghalib was done on the
\nrecommendation of Soeharto.<\/p>\n
Habibie's lenient attitude could also be seen as part of an
\nattempt to block the anticorruption drive that is being launched
\nby a number of nongovernmental organizations. For certain,
\nHabibie, or anyone else who was a part of the old power structure
\nfor that matter, must be observing this crusade with the greatest
\ndiscomfort since they themselves stand a very real chance of
\nbeing swept away by the tide.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, once again we call on President Habibie to try
\nto understand the public's sentiment. Habibie cannot continue to
\nclose his eyes to the public resentment that has been directed
\nagainst the Attorney General's Office ever since Ghalib occupied
\nit.<\/p>\n
On the other hand we urge the Indonesian Corruption Watch
\n(ICW) and other nongovernmental organizations to bolster
\nthemselves, work together and not to bicker. Their outstanding
\ncontribution to bringing about the great changes that we have
\nbeen experiencing lately have already been proven. If that role
\nwere to get the support of our political parties, then there will
\nbe reason to expect a better future ahead.<\/p>\n
-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/habibie-protecting-ghalib-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }