Time to step down<\/p>\n
In most democracies, when a government minister is implicated
\nin any type of misconduct, even a relatively minor financial or
\nsexual scandal, he usually tenders his resignation without delay.
\nIn many cases, he does not even wait to be asked to do so by his
\npresident or prime minister.<\/p>\n
But, in Indonesia, former military leader General Wiranto
\nstill seems to believe he can follow different rules from much of
\nthe rest of the world.<\/p>\n
General Wiranto may hope his stalling tactics win him immunity
\nfrom prosecution in return for eventually agreeing to step down.
\nBut even here he is likely to be disappointed, as President Wahid
\nhas already said it would be best to have the charges against him
\njudged in an independent court.<\/p>\n
That need not rule out the possibility of a presidential
\npardon at some later stage. Different countries have chosen to
\nhandle the transition from authoritarian rule to democracy in
\ndifferent ways.<\/p>\n
In Chile, the military demanded an amnesty before
\nrelinquishing power. But the limits to this were shown recently,
\nwhen former dictator General Augusto Pinochet was detained in
\nBritain over crimes allegedly committed under his rule.<\/p>\n
In South Africa, a truth and reconciliation commission tried
\nto clear the record over events of the apartheid era by offering
\nan amnesty to those who confessed to politically related crimes.
\nThat is a model some now advocate for Indonesia.<\/p>\n
But whatever happens, there can be no question someone
\nimplicated in last August's events can remain a minister. The
\nbloodshed in East Timor was a stain on Indonesia's reputation and
\none which will remain at least until those responsible are
\nremoved from office.<\/p>\n
-- The South China Morning Post, Hong Kong<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/time-to-step-down-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }