Factions agree on probe into Soeharto wealth
JAKARTA (JP): Four of five factions in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) openly urged the government during the general view session on Wednesday to intensify its drive to probe the wealth of former president Soeharto and his family.
The Armed Forces (ABRI) faction would only admit that in the past there were rampant practices of corruption, nepotism and collusion, or known as KKN.
Golkar demanded the government take legal measures against those guilty of corrupt practices including Soeharto, senior government officials and conglomerates.
"Including former president Soeharto whose policies benefited himself, his family and his cronies," said its spokeswoman Marwah Daud Ibrahim.
Thousands of students throughout the country continued their campaign to bring Soeharto to court. They alleged that President B.J. Habibie did not have the guts to punish his past mentor.
"There should be firm... and consistent legal actions against those who have committed corruption, collusion and nepotism," she added.
Marwah pointed out the government's seriousness in investigating Soeharto's alleged corruption would play a decisive role in restoring people's confidence in it.
"The more senior a government official who is involved in corruption, the bigger the impact on the government's legitimacy," Golkar noted.
The ABRI faction cited lack of morale and ethics among the government officials as the main source of corrupt behavior in the past.
"ABRI admits that in the past practices of corruption, collusion and nepotism occurred," its faction said.
The faction's opinion was in turn delivered by ABRI's Chief of Sociopolitical Affairs Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Navy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Widodo A.S.
The United Development Party (PPP) was the only faction which proposed the promulgation of a special decree, apart from the 12 prepared drafts, to compel President B.J. Habibie to investigate Soeharto's riches.
"We need an MPR decree for this, so that the President would not be able to avoid it," PPP chairman Ismail Hasan Metareum said on Wednesday.
ABRI Commander Gen. Wiranto argued it was not necessary to issue a separate decree on Soeharto as the issue was already covered by a draft decree on the eradication of corruption, collusion and nepotism.
"The MPR decrees only deal with strategic issues, not individual issues," Wiranto said.
PPP spokesman Fahri Hamzah ridiculed those who used all the means at their disposal for Soeharto's reelection during the MPR general session in March but now easily turned their backs and denounced him.
"Those who used all means in defiance of principles to help the New Order (Soeharto's regime) win now stand in the front line of those condemning the New Order as if only they are the true reformists," Fahri said.
The regional representatives faction spokesman, Soerjadi Soedirdja, also called on Habibie's government to take legal action against Soeharto, his family and also former top aides.
"It must be processed in accordance with the prevailing laws," said Soerjadi, former Jakarta governor.
Separately Attorney General Muhammad Ghalib insisted that his office was still carrying out intensive investigations into Soeharto's alleged fortune.
"We will continue our investigation," Ghalib said after having an unexpected meeting with Habibie at Merdeka Palace.
The smallest faction, the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) said Soeharto was not above the law and he should be responsible for his past wrongdoings.
"The demands for Soeharto's trial reflect the deepest feelings among the people," its spokesman Markus Wauran said. (team)