AG lacks evidence to prosecute Soeharto
AG lacks evidence to prosecute Soeharto
JAKARTA (JP): With just a few months left to the November
deadline, acting Attorney General Ismudjoko insisted on Monday
that his office lacked sufficient evidence to name former
president Soeharto a suspect in corruption cases.
Ismudjoko told House Commission I for security and defense,
law, politics and information that his office required compelling
proof to send the ailing former president to court.
"The most difficult thing we are facing is to collect valid
evidence which convinces the judge to open a trial. We can't just
deliver makeshift evidence, only to enable the judge to reject
our charges," said Ismudjoko, who recently took over the post
from Andi Ghalib. The latter is currently the subject of an
investigation for alleged bribe-taking.
The slow-paced investigation concerning Soeharto was queried
by some House members -- and the highlight of Monday's hearing.
They suggested the Attorney General's Office name Soeharto a
suspect to smooth investigations into allegations that he
illegally amassed a US$15 billion fortune during his 32-year
rule.
"(The need for) evidence is a question of which comes first:
the chicken or the egg. Arguments on this issue have increased
the public's disappointment," F. Isnawan of the military faction
said.
He quoted former attorney general Soedjono Ch. Atmonegoro who
said soon after his dismissal there was sufficient evidence to
indict Soeharto. Soedjono, who was installed by Soeharto, held
office for only three months and was replaced by Ghalib in June
last year.
Controversy surrounding the inquiry is further complicated by
the issues of bank secrecy procedures, in which banks will not
provide prosecutors with access to personal accounts unless the
account holder is named a suspect.
Another House member, Usamah Hisyam of the United Development
Party (PPP) faction, said he was yet to see significant efforts
made by the Attorney General's Office in relation to the inquiry
into Soeharto.
He said the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) had issued a
mandate to President B.J Habibie to eradicate corruption,
collusion and nepotism, including any alleged involvement by
Soeharto. The MPR gave Habibie until the end of his short term in
November, when he is due to deliver his accountability speech.
"In terms of legal actions, the attorney general tends to slow
down the investigation (into Soeharto's alleged corruption),"
Usamah said.
Another PPP legislator, Muslih, lashed out at the Attorney
General's Office, describing it as "unprofessional" for failing
to collect evidence since the investigation started seven months
ago.
He suggested that naming the former president a suspect was
the best way to end uncertainty in the investigation into the
alleged corruption.
"There should be no objection to the public's demand that the
former president be named a suspect, because it doesn't mean he
is not presumed innocent. If the trial begins, there will be a
possibility that Soeharto is acquitted of all charges," Muslih
said.
Businessman Arifin Panigoro and former chief of the National
Logistics Agency (Bulog) Beddu Amang were all recently cleared of
corruption charges.
Muslih said he was afraid the uncertainty would result in
chaos. "Do we want the military troops to have their service on
the streets extended?" Muslih warned, referring to hundreds of
riot troops who have been posted across the city for more than a
year.
In response to the legislators' demand, Ismudjoko said his
office was focusing its inquiries into "evidence from related
parties, so that it meets the requirements to bring Soeharto to
court".
He said it was up to Habibie to announce results of the
investigation into Soeharto's alleged corruption.
"I just carry out the duties assigned by the President, and
it's not ethical to disclose what I have done to people other
than him," Ismudjoko said.
He said he would present the investigation's results to
Habibie before the November MPR General Session. But he did not
set a specific date. (amd/rms)