Demonstration accompanies Tutut questioning
JAKARTA (JP): About 500 people demonstrated on Thursday at the Attorney General's Office, demanding fair treatment for former president Soeharto as his eldest daughter was questioned inside.
Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana appeared for the first time in connection with the corruption investigation into her father's activities as treasurer of one of an array of foundations under his control.
The attorney general is examining the records of the various foundations to determine if funds were diverted to the Soehartos and their cronies.
Claiming to represent a group they identified as the Front of Youths and Students Against Reform, the protesters stressed the Attorney General's Office should itself be cleansed of collusion, corruption and nepotism before it could investigate the former president.
"We believe the slow investigation and search for evidence against Soeharto raises suspicion, treachery and moral pressure before there is proof of guilt before the law," group spokesman Jasril Indra was quoted as saying by Antara.
The pro-Soeharto demonstration was a marked contrast from previous protests demanding speedy prosecution of the 32-year ruler and his intimate circle.
But Thursday's group acknowledged there should be a swift investigation, with the guarantee that nobody would be "targeted as scapegoats of elites thirsty for power".
Several former ministers and two of Soeharto's sons, Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra and Bambang Trihatmodjo, have also been summoned for questioning.
Hardiyanti, a prominent businesswoman and former social services minister, arrived at about 7:30 a.m. with leading lawyer Amir Syamsuddin.
About 20 plainclothes private security guards protected her.
Hardiyanti, better known as Mbak Tutut, told a crowd of journalists after the seven-hour session that all donations were made voluntarily to the foundations, whose activities included providing aid to disaster-hit areas.
"None of the funds were used for business," she said, never losing her trademark smile.
In November Soeharto, 77, handed over funds from his seven foundations, worth more than US$500 million, to the government.
Hardiyanti's numerous business projects include several major toll road projects. She was tipped as Soeharto's most likely successor from his six children. (anr)