Time to return ill-gotten gains<\/p>\n
From Merdeka<\/p>\n
I agree to the demand made by many quarters to the effect that
\nthe wealth of the Soehartos must be investigated and returned to
\nthe people, especially now that Probosutedjo, as the \"spokesman\"
\nof the Soeharto clan, has given the green light on condition that
\neverything should be done pursuant to the law.<\/p>\n
Of course, justice will be better served if a probe is also
\nmade into the fortunes of the families of other officials, who
\namassed as much wealth as possible before being \"weaned\" by the
\nSoeharto administration. Also to be investigated should be the
\nfamilies of non-government officials, certain people known to be
\nvery close to the businesses run by the Soehartos.<\/p>\n
If the probe into and the return of the wealth take place
\nconcurrently and also voluntarily, this sympathetic gesture will
\nnot only allay the anger and envy of common people at large but
\nalso help restore the national economy. As we are all aware, all
\nthis wealth has been used mainly for political purposes, in the
\nsense of playing with national politics and using the money at
\ntheir disposal.<\/p>\n
According to the Center for Data of Indonesian Business, the
\nwealth accumulated by the Soeharto family is estimated to reach
\nRp 200 trillion. The amount would certainly be even greater if
\nassets owned by the families referred to earlier are included.<\/p>\n
Regarding the probe into and the return of the wealth to the
\npeople, an independent agency must be set up to carry out a
\nseries of activities from the probe through to its return to the
\npeople. Members of this independent agency must be qualified
\npeople free from corruption, collusion and nepotism.<\/p>\n
An important thing to remember in regard to the fortunes
\namassed by the Soehartos and others is that a good control system
\nand a fine check-and-balance mechanism must be put to work to
\nensure there will be no room for corrupt, collusive and
\nnepotistic practices in future.<\/p>\n
It is necessary to adopt a system that imposes harsh sanctions
\non those engaged in corrupt, collusive and nepotistic practices
\nto ensure that the perpetrators will be deterred and other people
\nwill be discouraged from committing the same acts.<\/p>\n
UMAR ABDUH<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/time-to-return-ill-gotten-gains-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }