Soeharto's cronies may score victory: Observers<\/p>\n
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Soeharto's cronies, relatives and lawyers have a litany of
\nexcuses to convince the public why his case must be dropped:
\ndegenerative illness, old age, physical frailty and dementia.<\/p>\n
Not only that. Once called \"the father of development\" by his
\nadmirers, Soeharto is being portrayed as a man who has done great
\nservice to the country.<\/p>\n
But detractors say that the claims are mere propaganda by the
\nNew Order president's supporters who are afraid their past crimes
\nwill also be revealed if Soeharto goes to court.<\/p>\n
The problem is that many of Soeharto's friends still wield
\npower, holding key positions in various state institutions, from
\nthe House of Representatives and State Secretariat to the
\nmilitary.<\/p>\n
State\/Cabinet Secretary Bambang Kesowo, Minister of Justice
\nand Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra, House of Representatives
\nSpeaker Akbar Tandjung, People's Consultative Assembly Deputy
\nSpeaker Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Attorney General MA Rachman, and
\nMinister of Home Affairs and Regional Autonomy Hari Sabarno are a
\nfew among those mentioned.<\/p>\n
\"It is not surprising that they would do everything in their
\npower to protect their former boss for their own good,\" said
\npolitical observer Budyatna of the University of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
What is most worrying is that if Soeharto's case is dropped it
\nwould also block efforts to bring his cronies and relatives to
\ncourt because he is the central figure in the corruption saga.<\/p>\n
\"Soeharto's trial will disclose involvement of his former
\naides,\" said Hermawan Sulistyo of the National Institute of
\nSciences (LIPI). \"If Soeharto is tried he will mention the names
\nof aides who helped him commit unlawful activities.\"<\/p>\n
Soeharto, now on his sickbed in hospital, has been accused of
\ninvolvement in corruption worth US$571 million through the
\nnumerous charity foundations he chaired while in power.<\/p>\n
Megawati has not yet explained why she wants to revoke the
\ncharges against Soeharto. On Wednesday, Yusril -- the one who
\nmade the President's plan public -- cited the recent phone poll
\nby Kompas daily in which majority of respondents supported the
\nrevoking of the charges.<\/p>\n
Budyatna and Hermawan questioned the validity of the poll.<\/p>\n
\"The results of such media polling are questionable due to the
\nway its sample is determined and the methodology. The result can
\nmislead the public,\" said Budyatna.<\/p>\n
Hermawan added \"If the polling had been done with the right
\nprocedure and methodology, I believe that the result would have
\nbeen different,\" he said.<\/p>\n
They stressed that the pursuance of legal actions against
\nSoeharto would be vital for the government to demonstrate its
\ncommitment to combating corruption.<\/p>\n
But for some, the media polling is acceptable because it
\nreflects the views of the common people.<\/p>\n
Ulil Abshar Abdalla of the Indonesian Conference on Religion
\nand Peace (ICRP), for example, believes that the poll shows that
\nmany people can see the \"positive side\" Soeharto.<\/p>\n
Ulil, a member of Nahdlatul Ulama, proposed that if the plan
\nto revoke the charges on Soeharto meets with strong opposition,
\nMegawati should consider the South-African style truth and
\nreconciliation commission.<\/p>\n
The commission will allow the public to know what Soeharto has
\ndone, both good and bad, for the nation in the past.<\/p>\n
\"I think the majority of Indonesians would have no problem
\nwith the proposal to pardon Soeharto after an appropriate process
\nlike the truth and reconciliation commission,\" he said.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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