Soeharto's mansion fund<\/p>\n
Has Mr. Soeharto no shame? Disgraced, ousted former president
\nSoeharto has asked that as a former president he be given a cash
\nallowance of Rp 26.5 billion in lieu of housing for his needs.
\nAccording to reports, he prefers cash to a house because he
\nalready has a house and does not actually need a physical place
\nof residence. Under the circumstances, this request is remarkable
\nenough, but what is even more incredible is that President B.J.
\nHabibie has apparently approved this expenditure, and the new
\nhead of an ostensibly reformed Functional Group (Golkar) Mr.
\nAkbar Tandjung supports this decision.<\/p>\n
How many residences has Soeharto already acquired and equipped
\nat the public's expense during his presidency? Soeharto seems
\ncontent to stay in one place since his disgraced surrender of
\noffice in May. He does not seem to entertain public figures. He
\nhas not assumed the role of a respected elder statesman: how
\ncould he? How many residences does he now have? What else does he
\nneed? And with an official pension of Rp 15,000,000 per month
\nsurely he does not need cash for his remaining days.<\/p>\n
The rationale that it is standard practice to provide a house
\nto a former president, even if true, can be countered with the
\nargument that these are not standard times. What is lawful is not
\nnecessarily mandated. If a former president or vice president had
\nsacrificed opportunities for personal enrichment because he\/she
\nwas preoccupied in the service of the nation, then the nation
\nwould of course feel an obligation to provide comfortable, modest
\nretirement housing to him. The indications are that to the
\ncontrary, Soeharto used his presidency to exploit every
\nopportunity for personal enrichment. Is he really entitled to a
\nhouse at the public's expense now? At 77 years of age, could he
\nnot sell his Harley Davidsons or one of his other properties to
\nraise money for necessary household renovations? Aren't his
\nchildren willing to assist him in his old age?<\/p>\n
If President Habibie is so devoted to his mentor, the former
\npresident, why doesn't he establish a voluntary fund, an account
\nto which Indonesians can donate personal money for the former
\npresident if they choose to so honor him for his service? How
\nmany ordinary Indonesians feel obliged to make a personal
\ndonation to Soeharto from their meager personal funds? Or is Mr.
\nHabibie setting a precedent which he hopes will be followed when
\nhe becomes the former president?<\/p>\n
If they are so committed to his welfare, let Mr. Habibie and
\nMr. Akbar Tandjung be the first donors to Soeharto's housing
\nfund. But spare the public treasury.<\/p>\n
DONNA K. WOODWARD<\/p>\n
Medan, North Sumatra<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/soehartos-mansion-fund-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }