Exposing the corruptors

Exposing the corruptors

Perhaps the recent statement by Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono that former president Soeharto still has a big influence may be taken to support the belief (that the former president's supporters are behind last week's bombing of the Attorney General's Office in Jakarta). Obviously the minister has some pretty accurate data to support his statement.

The strength of Soeharto's influence can be easily understood. The New Order's architect who ruled this country for 32 years, he had ample time to establish such a strong influence.

This, though, must not lead us to give in. The legal process against the former president and his cronies must go on, whatever the obstacles.

In the meantime we must not be trapped into finger pointing at each other, only because the bomb was made by Pindad (state armament factory) and is a standard weapon used by the Indonesian Military (TNI). It could be that some elements within the TNI are still loyal to the New Order leader and are acting outside the proper line of command by giving outsiders bombs.

The government must be firm in its resolve to settle old corruption cases and at the same time prevent the emergence of cases such as those that led to the downfall of the New Order.

The recent bombing, indeed, could give us a new clue in our efforts to uncover the corruptors identities.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta