Attorney general to unveil Soeharto probe

Attorney general to unveil Soeharto probe

JAKARTA (JP): Acting Attorney General Ismudjoko is expected to
announce the results of his office's investigation of former
president Soeharto this weekend.

Minister of Justice/State Secretary Muladi indicated on Friday
that Ismudjoko would make the announcement in Semarang, Central
Java.

Ismudjoko is scheduled to attend a ceremony there on either
Saturday or Sunday.

"I think it will be announced by the attorney general within
the next two days," Muladi said after accompanying President B.J.
Habibie to a reception for outgoing members of the House of
Representatives at the State Palace.

In his address to the House members, Habibie said he directed
Ismudjoko to announce in the very near future the final results
of the government's investigation into the alleged corruption of
Soeharto.

Habibie told the House members the government's pronouncement
would include any necessary legal steps to be taken against his
predecessor. He hinted he would not hesitate to take tough
measures if the corruption allegations against his former mentor
were supported by strong evidence.

"On the allegations of KKN which have been leveled against
former president Soeharto, I can say here that I have ordered the
attorney general to announce very soon the results of the
investigation and the legal status of the former president.

"For the sake of law and justice, whoever is guilty must be
declared guilty, and whoever is innocent must be declared
innocent," Habibie said.

The People's Consultative Assembly issued Decree No. XI in
November which obliges the President to weed out corruption,
collusion and nepotism, popularly known as KKN.

Habibie, however, who once described Soeharto as a genius
professor, urged the public to uphold the ideal of presumption of
innocence and to respect Soeharto's rights.

He acknowledged that people were anxious to see how the
government would settle Soeharto's case and the high-profile Bank
Bali scandal. However, he warned of the dangers of trial by
press. (prb)