Soeharto flaying must end: Analysts<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Observers agree that the government should
\ndampen excessive public criticism of Soeharto after the former
\npresident complained of being defamed, but also called for the
\ninvestigation into Soeharto's past to continue.<\/p>\n
Golkar executive Fahmi Idris, United Development Party (PPP)
\nleader Tosari Widjaya and Moslem figure Cholil Bisri separately
\nagreed on Thursday that Soeharto's plea for government protection
\nagainst public condemnations was \"normal\" and should be followed
\nup with appropriate action.<\/p>\n
The observers also pointed out that Soeharto's plea should not
\ndivert the government from its investigation into allegations
\nthat the former president had abused his power to amass wealth
\nfor him and his family during his 32 years in power.<\/p>\n
\"The state is obligated to protect the safety of all its
\ncitizens,\" Tosari was quoted by Antara as saying. \"Even pedicab
\ndrivers are entitled to legal protection against physical
\nthreats, let alone a former president.\"<\/p>\n
\"However, the investigation should proceed,\" he said. \"Let the
\nAttorney General's Office continue its probe into Pak Harto's
\nwealth.\"<\/p>\n
Soeharto's legal advisory group, the Cendana Consultancy Team,
\ncalled on the government and the National Commission on Human
\nRights on Wednesday to protect him from slanderous and
\nhumiliating remarks.<\/p>\n
The defamatory remarks could prejudice public opinion and
\nimpinge on Soeharto's legal rights, lawyer Johannes Yacob said.<\/p>\n
The rights commission responded on Thursday that should
\nSoeharto ask for the organization's protection, it would treat
\nhim no differently than other people seeking its help. Deputy
\nchairman Marzuki Darusman, however, said the commission had yet
\nto receive such a request from Soeharto.<\/p>\n
Even if Soeharto filed a complaint, the commission would
\n\"first study it and put in its context proportionally\", he said.<\/p>\n
Tosari shrugged off Yacob's remarks that some people had gone
\noverboard in their condemnation of Soeharto. \"I have yet to see
\nthat,\" he said. \"The public just wants (to express) that unless
\nlegal actions are taken (against Soeharto) in a proportional way,
\ndissatisfaction will arise.\"<\/p>\n
\"The furor will stop if law enforcers take quick action,\" he
\nadded. \"Pak Harto himself should provide all the necessary
\ninformation, instead of evading (people's queries).<\/p>\n
\"His (recent) televised statement was an answer to some
\npeople's questions (about his reported wealth) but it was not a
\nsolution. It can only be solved in court.\"<\/p>\n
Fahmi, who is minister of manpower, conceded that
\ncondemnations continued against Soeharto because he had yet to
\nprovide satisfactory explanations about his wealth and alleged
\nmisuse of funds of the charitable foundations he chaired.<\/p>\n
\"People want numbers. He spoke qualitatively,\" Fahmi said,
\nreferring to televised remarks by Soeharto denying he had money
\nstashed in banks overseas.<\/p>\n
He suggested that all of Soeharto's relatives also come
\nforward and help explain the matter. \"They all must explain how
\nmuch money had been collected and what it was spent on,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Cholil Bisri, also a member of the Working Committee of the
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly (MPR), urged Soeharto to declare
\nhis wealth in a transparent way.<\/p>\n
\"If he follows (the teachings of the) Prophet Mohammad, he of
\ncourse has to specify that he has this and that,\" Bisri said,
\ncommenting on the insults being hurled at the 77-year-old former
\npresident over the issue that he had enriched himself while in
\npower.<\/p>\n
Speaking on Soeharto's claim that he had no savings under his
\nown name, Bisri said it could be under other people's names.<\/p>\n
The former president was able to build a house which
\nreportedly cost Rp 26 billion, he said.<\/p>\n
Also on Thursday, Minister of Justice Muladi said the
\ngovernment would not be able to stop the insults and
\ndenouncements against Soeharto because only a court could settle
\nthe allegations.<\/p>\n
He pointed out that even Armed Forces (ABRI) commander Gen.
\nWiranto could only provide physical protection, but not special
\nlegal protection because, as an ordinary citizen, he did not have
\nany status enjoying extraordinary treatment.<\/p>\n
He said only the acting president and vice president were
\nentitled to special treatment from the state.<\/p>\n
\"This is a private matter. So basically only Pak Harto himself
\ncan file a lawsuit (against alleged slanderers),\" Muladi noted.<\/p>\n
The minister said Soeharto's current predicament was very
\nsimilar to former president Sukarno in 1967, especially after he
\nhanded over power to Soeharto.<\/p>\n
At that time, Sukarno suffered from fierce public criticism,
\nwhile the media reported extensively on his \"sins\" committed
\nduring his tenure.<\/p>\n
\"Those who denounce Soeharto now are people who felt oppressed
\nduring his rule,\" Muladi said.<\/p>\n
Last Sunday, Soeharto, who was forced to resign on May 21
\nfollowing bloody riots in Jakarta that killed at least 1,200
\npeople, denied on TV that he had any money in foreign bank
\naccounts.<\/p>\n
The program was broadcast nationwide by TPI, owned by his
\neldest daughter, Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana. (swe\/prb)<\/p>",
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