Soeharto questioned again over alleged corruption<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A team of state prosecutors questioned for a
\nthird time former president Soeharto here on Monday over alleged
\ncorruption during his 32 years in power.<\/p>\n
Soeharto was questioned for more than two hours at his
\nresidence in Central Jakarta. Most of the nine questions dealt
\nwith his alleged misuse of funds involving seven charitable
\nfoundations he at one time controlled.<\/p>\n
The quizzing began after a medical team, also present at his
\nhome, declared that he was fit enough to undergo the session, one
\nof Soeharto's lawyers, Mohammad Assegaf, said.<\/p>\n
"A team of doctors from RSCM (Cipto Mangunkusumo state
\nhospital) said that it was possible for Bapak to undergo
\nquestioning, but it should not be rushed," Assegaf told
\njournalists, referring to the 78-year-old former ruler.<\/p>\n
Assegaf said Soeharto's physical condition on Monday was good
\nbut added that during the questioning he had problems with his
\nmemory.<\/p>\n
To help him remember things and create a "friendly
\natmosphere", one of the five prosecutors, Purwanto, asked the
\nquestions in Javanese, Assegaf added.<\/p>\n
He stated that Purwanto spoke in classical Javanese which is
\ncommonly used in conversation with elders or respected people.<\/p>\n
The retired five-star general is suspected of abusing his
\npower and authority through issuing decrees and government
\nregulations that helped him amass a fortune via the foundations
\nhe represented and controlled.<\/p>\n
The Attorney General's Office has summoned executives of the
\nfoundations, including two of Soeharto's children.<\/p>\n
It has also confiscated documents relating to the Supersemar
\nFoundation and Dharmais Foundation as evidence in the case.<\/p>\n
Soeharto, who has been placed under city arrest and banned
\nfrom leaving the country, was questioned twice last month, but
\nboth times the sessions were cut short after doctors insisted he
\nwas too ill to continue.<\/p>\n
His lawyers have repeatedly said that Soeharto is unable to
\nundergo questioning because he cannot communicate clearly as a
\nresult of the stroke he suffered last year.<\/p>\n
Spokesman for the Attorney General's Office Yushar Yahya said
\nlater in the day that the questioning would continue sometime
\nthis week but declined to specify exactly when.<\/p>\n
Soeharto's other lawyer, Juan Felix Tampubolon, said his
\nclient is ready for questioning twice a week if he could maintain
\nhis health.<\/p>\n
Attorney General Marzuki Darusman said on Sunday his office
\nplans to question Soeharto every Monday and Thursday in a bid to
\nspeed up the investigation.<\/p>\n
Demands have mounted for the present government to bring
\nSoeharto to justice. Hundreds of students clashed with police on
\nFriday after they attempted to force their way into the former
\npresident's residence.<\/p>\n
President Abdurrahman Wahid has offered a pardon if Soeharto
\nis found guilty. (01\/byg)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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