It was all President's idea, says Yusril<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra said
\non Tuesday that the idea of revoking all charges against former
\npresident Soeharto was the initiative of President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri, with ministers only being asked to provide input
\non the matter.<\/p>\n
\"I want to stress that it was not my idea, but purely from
\nPresident Megawati,\" he replied, when asked by journalists during
\na visit to a penitentiary in Tangerang, Banten.<\/p>\n
Yusril claimed that he had merely put forward two fundamental
\npoints for the President to consider: The first was that she
\ncould revoke charges against Soeharto based on humanitarian
\ngrounds, given his poor state of health.<\/p>\n
The second was that by revoking the charges she could be in
\nviolation of People's Consultative Assembly Decree No. IX.1998,
\nwhich instructed the president to wipe out corruption, collusion
\nand nepotism.<\/p>\n
\"If this is not thought through properly the government could
\nbe considered inconsistent in its efforts to eradicate
\ncorruption,\" Yusril said, as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
While conceding that the President had the right to revoke the
\ncharges, Yusril said he stressed the importance of first seeking
\nthe support of the legislature.<\/p>\n
According to Yusril the President had yet to formally dispatch
\na letter seeking the House of Representative's consideration on
\nthe matter.<\/p>\n
Under the Constitution the president is given the authority
\nto, among other things, revoke charges (abolition) or grant an
\namnesty.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, friends of the ailing president said Soeharto could
\nbe released from hospital this week.<\/p>\n
Business tycoon Sudwikatmono said, after visiting Soeharto at
\nPertamina hospital, that Soeharto's condition was improving.<\/p>\n
\"Maybe this week. But it's really up to the doctors,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Similarly, former vice president Sudharmono said Soeharto's
\ncondition had improved.<\/p>\n
\"But it will still be a few days before he recovers,\" he
\nadded.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/it-was-all-presidents-idea-says-yusril-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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