Soeharto pardon plan receives support<\/p>\n
YOGYAKARTA (JP): Noted intellectual Ichlasul Amal supported on
\nWednesday the idea of imposing political penance on former
\npresident Soeharto for alleged corruption and abuse of power.<\/p>\n
Ichlasul, a political scientist and rector of Gadjah Mada
\nUniversity here, said asking Soeharto to publicly apologize for
\nhis mistakes during his 32-year rule would be preferable to
\nbringing him to court, particularly considering the former
\nruler's declining health.<\/p>\n
However, Ichlasul said if Soeharto evaded trial due to his age
\nand health, an investigation should be opened into his cronies,
\nwho made use of their patron's policies to amass fortunes.<\/p>\n
Soeharto, 78, is recovering from a mild stroke.<\/p>\n
\"Soeharto must apologize to the people for the irreparable
\nimpact of his policies,\" Ichlasul said. \"There were so many
\npolicies passed during the New Order era which caused misery to
\nthe people.\"<\/p>\n
Ichlasul said among the most damaging policies was the one-
\nmillion hectare peat land project. According to reports, the
\nmegaproject, begun in 1996, failed to bear fruit and thousands of
\nmigrant peasants were abandoned, he said.<\/p>\n
\"Political penance is the last resort if Soeharto is
\nphysically unable to face a trial,\" Ichlasul said.<\/p>\n
The idea of not pursuing a court case against Soeharto was
\nproposed by the chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama, the country's
\nlargest Muslim organization, Abdurrahman Wahid, during a meeting
\nof political party leaders and President B.J. Habibie on Tuesday.
\nAbdurrahman said it was almost impossible to settle Soeharto's
\ncase through the courts, and called on the former Army general to
\nreturn the fortune he allegedly amassed during his rule.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman, who is also the founder of the National Awakening
\nParty (PKB), said it would be difficult to prove Soeharto's
\nalleged abuse of power. He instead suggested Soeharto be pardoned
\nby a panel of Muslim experts and his alleged fortune confiscated.<\/p>\n
Ichlasul agreed imposing political penance on Soeharto would
\nease the burden on Habibie's administration.<\/p>\n
However, the political professor was pessimistic Soeharto
\nwould return his alleged fortune.<\/p>\n
\"It is almost impossible to expect him to return the fortune,
\nbecause the investigation into his allegedly illegal wealth has
\nyet to show significant progress,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Separately in Padang, West Sumatra, law professor Boy Yendra
\nTamin of Bung Hatta University said Abdurrahman's proposal was
\n\"merely a political move to allow Habibie to save face\".<\/p>\n
\"Abdurrahman aims to rescue Habibie from possible humiliation
\nin the upcoming General Session of the People's Consultative
\nAssembly, during which Habibie will give his accountability on
\nthe investigation into Soeharto's alleged corruption, collusion
\nand nepotism,\" Boy said as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
Boy said it was likely that in exchange for the proposal,
\nAbdurrahman hoped to gain Habibie's support for his ultimate goal
\nof becoming the next president, Assembly speaker or a spiritual
\nleader.<\/p>\n
\"Abdurrahman is also supporting Megawati Soekarnoputri's
\npresidential nomination... he could gain political fame because
\nhe will be seen as an acceptable figure by all the nation's
\ngroups,\" Boy said. Megawati is the chairwoman of the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan). (44\/edt)<\/p>",
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