Should Soeharto be absolved?<\/p>\n
Last June 8, 2001 Soeharto turned 80. Since his admission to
\nhospital, we have heard contradictory news about his health. Some
\nhave said his condition is worsening; others have told us that he
\nis in pretty good shape, able to recognize visitors and talk to
\nthem.<\/p>\n
In this regard, Minister of Political and Security Affairs
\nSusilo Bambang Yudoyono made a statement to the press after a
\nrecent meeting on politics and security. Quoting President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri, he urged the people of Indonesia to treat
\ntheir former president humanely and settle all of his cases
\nfairly by adhering to human rights principles.<\/p>\n
Some people then began to air their view that legal
\ninvestigations against Soeharto should be terminated.<\/p>\n
Those in favor of such a stance contend that former president
\nSoeharto has had enough punishment: he was forced from office,
\nhas since become the object of public ridicule and was finally
\nbrought to justice, despite the pros and cons of doing so.<\/p>\n
Yet his problems remain unresolved. The legacy of the past
\nstill exists, and changes accompanied by what is termed \"carry
\nover\" are inevitable.<\/p>\n
To what extent would a termination of the case affect the
\ncommitment of Mega and her administration, ministers and other
\nofficials to create clean governance and their undertaking to
\neducate themselves and eradicate the cultural ills of corruption,
\ncollusion and nepotism?<\/p>\n
The government's policy of involving the business community in
\nbringing about an economic recovery is welcome but they must
\nclose off any possibility of engaging in unsavory practices.<\/p>\n
With this commitment in mind, we support adopting the right,
\njust and humane stance toward former president Soeharto.<\/p>\n
-- Kompas, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/should-soeharto-be-absolved-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }