Soeharto's case to be reopened, says Marzuki<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Marzuki Darusman affirmed on
\nWednesday that investigations into alleged corruption by former
\npresident Soeharto and the Bank Bali scandal would be priority
\ntasks, but noted that \"political dimensions\" had to be taken into
\nconsideration in the cases.<\/p>\n
Marzuki would not specify what he meant by political
\ndimensions, but his remarks came on the heels of President
\nAbudurrahman Wahid's statement on Wednesday morning that he
\npersonally felt that if there was evidence indicating Soeharto
\nenriched himself and his family, then the money should be
\nreturned.<\/p>\n
During a breakfast meeting with senior editors, the President
\nsaid the money could then be used to fund efforts to help the
\ncountry out of its current economic and food crisis.<\/p>\n
\"According to me, the most we can do is investigate Soeharto
\nand then, based on the results of the investigation, decide on
\nhow much wealth he should return,\" Abdurrahman said.<\/p>\n
When pressed further by journalists, Marzuki said the case
\ncould not be viewed simply from a legalistic angle.<\/p>\n
\"There are political dimensions binding the case. They cannot
\nbe avoided because it involves former president Soeharto and the
\nrepercussions of the Bank Bali case,\" Marzuki said after meeting
\nwith Abdurrahman at the State Guest House.<\/p>\n
\"But to reach a political conclusion and to make a political
\ndecision about the matter, there must be a legal foundation,
\nwhich means that there must be a legal process which can justify
\na political decision.<\/p>\n
\"If Pak Harto or whomever is then given clemency or whatever
\nyou call it, then it must be first preceded by a clear definition
\nof his legal status,\" Marzuki explained, adding that Abdurrahman
\ninstructed him to reopen and accelerate investigations.<\/p>\n
Outgoing acting attorney general Ismudjoko decided to drop the
\ninvestigation into Soeharto's charitable foundations saying his
\noffice could not find any evidence that Soeharto misused the
\ncharities' funds.<\/p>\n
Soeharto's case was a blemish on former president B.J.
\nHabibie, which, along with the Bank Bali scandal that allegedly
\ninvolved his close confidantes and close relatives, were among
\nthe reasons his accountability report was rejected by the
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly.<\/p>\n
Marzuki argued that whatever the final conclusion was in the
\nSoeharto case, the legal investigations must be allowed to
\nthoroughly proceed first.<\/p>\n
\"The legal part must be completed first judicially, and that's
\nwhat the Attorney General's Office will do. The political aspects
\nare wholly the prerogative of the President,\" he added.<\/p>\n
He further stressed that the President also recognized the
\nneed for haste in thoroughly concluding both the cases.<\/p>\n
\"It's very important for it to be resolved because the
\ninternational world is waiting for a sign that we are truly
\nupholding the law,\" said Marzuki, who will officially be sworn in
\non Friday.<\/p>\n
Marzuki acknowledged the public was pessimistic about the
\ncapability of the Attorney General's Office due to the mentality
\nof personnel and the complexity of problems they face.<\/p>\n
However, he still expressed optimism for his subordinates.<\/p>\n
\"In my view, there are still many in the Attorney General's
\nOffice who still have a strong desire to resolve this case.\"(prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/soehartos-case-to-be-reopened-says-marzuki-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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