Do not give Tommy clemency

Do not give Tommy clemency

From Kontak

Nearly everyone in this country particularly in big cities
like Jakarta and Medan has been waiting for what will happen to
Tommy Soeharto these days.

If I may say something about Tommy's seeking the President's
clemency, I hereby suggest to President Abdurrahman Wahid, better
known as Gus Dur, not to grant him clemency. Why? Because if the
President does, it will have a bad impact on the whole society of
Indonesia. People will see Tommy enjoying fresh air and freedom
whereas actually they have wanted to see him jailed for a long
time, and they will call the trial of Tommy a big lie. They will
conclude that only the little, poor and powerless people are
jailed while the rich and those who can pay will never be jailed.
It is as if the rich and powerful are always free.

In my opinion, Gus Dur's reputation and his administration's
credibility are indeed at stake. I'm telling Gus Dur now, if you
make a wrong decision that hurts people, this time do not expect
that people will forgive you. And it will take a very long time
before their disappointment and feelings of bitterness and
indignation disappear.

On the other hand, if Gus Dur allows him to be jailed the
people will support him all the time.

HARA SIMORANGKIR

Jakarta