Demonstration accompanies Tutut questioning

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)