A waste of time, energy and money

A waste of time, energy and money

From Rakyat Merdeka

I used to admire Minister of Justice Muladi but my admiration turned to bitter disappointment when I learned that he accompanied Attorney General Andi Ghalib to Switzerland, purportedly to trace Soeharto's alleged fortune. Muladi, a law expert, is blind to the law because we, and Muladi as well, know that his visit to Switzerland will be useless. Soeharto, as a brilliant strategist, will not imitate Marcos in keeping his money in Switzerland.

The money allegedly belonging to Soeharto's children, which is reportedly stashed in many countries, may be a little easier to track down. As for the reported private houses, they may be under other people's names, Soeharto's cronies for example. So, I don't believe that Muladi and Ghalib will be successful in their trip.

Just look at some of Soeharto's confidantes. Take Bustanil Arifin, for example. The case of Bank Duta, which sustained losses of billions of rupiah because of foreign exchange speculation by Dicky Iskandar Di Nata, is still not settled and is not even spoken of any more. In fact, Soeharto may have stashed quite a lot of money in this bank and this must be traceable.

Also, I believe Soeharto put a lot of money under the management of his friend Liem Sioe Liong. Liem certainly will continue to keep quiet about any money Soeharto entrusted to him. I believe they made a deal that in the event either of them died, the money will be passed on to their children.

Let's wait for the outcome of the upcoming elections. With a new president, a new Cabinet and a new People's Consultative Assembly and House of Representatives, hopefully all reform- minded, it is very likely that Soeharto will be taken to court.

HAJI G. MALIKMASS

Ciputat, West Java