Soeharto's a no-show<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Attorney General's Office has pledged to
\nforce former president Soeharto's appearance for a questioning
\nover alleged corruption and abuse of power on Monday after he
\nfailed to turn up on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Director of Corruption Affairs Chairul Imam told a group of
\nstudent protesters in front of his office that the third and
\nfinal summons had been sent to the former ruler shortly after the
\nplanned questioning of Soeharto failed to materialize.<\/p>\n
Soeharto, 78, was scheduled to be questioned at 9 a.m., but
\ndid not appear until noon.<\/p>\n
\"We expect him to appear for the questioning not later than
\nMonday at 1 p.m.,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"If he fails to answer this last summons, the penal code
\nallows the prosecutors to conduct the questioning at the
\nsuspect's residence. And, if his lawyers or family reject us, we
\nwill take coercive measures.\"<\/p>\n
Chairul insisted that Soeharto was fit enough for the
\nquestioning.<\/p>\n
\"The Attorney General's Office will adhere to the report from
\nthe RSCM (Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital) medical team which
\nsays that with a number of limitations, Soeharto is capable of
\nbeing questioned.<\/p>\n
Soeharto's failure to appear for questioning on Thursday was
\nno surprise after his lawyers submitted a letter to the Attorney
\nGeneral's Office on Wednesday saying their client would not be
\navailable for questioning.<\/p>\n
Citing the report from the RSCM medical team, the letter said
\nSoeharto had difficulty communicating his thoughts and would
\nrequire \"assistance to choose the correct words to convey (his)
\nthoughts into long and complex sentences\".<\/p>\n
Attorney General Marzuki Darusman said last week the results
\nof the medical examination showed Soeharto was healthy enough to
\nundergo questioning.<\/p>\n
Soeharto failed to answer a summons in February after the
\nAttorney General's Office named the former president a suspect in
\nits investigation of alleged corruption and abuse of power during
\nhis time in office.<\/p>\n
But Soeharto's lawyers pleaded ill health and refused to allow
\ntheir client to appear for questioning.<\/p>\n
Soeharto was hospitalized twice last year for a mild stroke
\nand intestinal bleeding. (01\/byg)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/soehartos-a-no-show-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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