Let's keep our emotions in check<\/p>\n
Wednesday, Dec. 9, will stand as a historic day in both law
\nenforcement and politics. On that day, former president Soeharto
\nwas summoned to the Jakarta Prosecutor's Office to be questioned
\nabout matters related to corruption, collusion, nepotism and
\nabuse of power.<\/p>\n
It is about time. The Indonesian people have been waiting for
\nthis action and students have been pressing through their
\ndemonstrations for the investigation to take place.<\/p>\n
Now this has started, all Indonesians should restrain
\nthemselves and not make comments which only can add to the
\nconfusion and controversy surrounding this case of the century.<\/p>\n
We should also not forget that Mr. Soeharto, as an Indonesian
\ncitizen, has the right according to the law to be treated on the
\nbasis of presumption of innocence, and receive the protection of
\nthe law. On the other hand, the government should also keep in
\nmind that, despite his status as an ex-head of state, he is equal
\nbefore the law and should be treated accordingly, without any
\nspecial privileges.<\/p>\n
Law experts and political leaders should refrain from making
\nstatements or comments which could create only more confusion in
\nthe hearts and minds of the people. However, almost everybody
\nshares the opinion that the Attorney General's Office is rather
\nslow in carrying out the wishes of the people as expressed by the
\nstudents through demonstrations.<\/p>\n
It needed a decision of the People's Consultative Assembly
\n(MPR) to get things going, but apparently even that has not been
\nenough. Another push from President B.J. Habibie is required to
\nreally start the investigation of Soeharto.<\/p>\n
There are other cases which received direct attention and were
\nimmediately tackled by the law enforcement institutions, such as
\nsenior members of the Barisan Nasional party accused of treason.
\nThis leads people to feel the government is reluctant to tackle
\nthe case of Soeharto.<\/p>\n
There are people, such as Gen. (ret) Rudini in a report on
\nprivate television station SCTV, who advocate that the
\ninvestigation should start only after next year's general
\nelection and after a new, truly legitimately elected government
\nis in place. This statement is, of course, contrary to what the
\npeople want in direct action.<\/p>\n
But a legal government formed after the general election will
\nnot change the prosecutor's office or the police personnel. A new
\nlegal government will not change the facts on which the case of
\nSoeharto is based. This is a routine criminal case which normally
\nlies in the line of duty of the police and\/or the prosecutors.
\nLaw enforcement forces actually do not need any decision of the
\nMPR or a special decree from the President. You can imagine how
\nbusy the President would be if all criminal investigations had to
\nwait for a decision from him. Investigations have nothing to do
\nwith the position once possessed by the accused because everybody
\nis equal before the law. I consider this a delaying tactic only
\nin favor of the former president.<\/p>\n
We live in a democratic country and therefore we are all free
\nto express our opinion, but at this time I suggest we restrain
\nourselves and save our opinions for later. Allow the attorney
\ngeneral, who has been attacked from all sides, to do his job in a
\npeaceful atmosphere to achieve maximum results. For the time
\nbeing, we should wait and see as to how the attorney general
\ntackles this very sensitive and complicated matter and we should
\ngive him all the necessary moral support so that he can succeed.<\/p>\n
SOEGIH ARTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/lets-keep-our-emotions-in-check-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }