Generals hiding behind courts

Generals hiding behind courts

Gen. Wiranto and three other generals have accused -- without
showing up in court -- Thamrin Amal Tomagola, a reputed
Indonesian sociologist, of slander for the statements he made in
a U.S. court. It is stunning that an Indonesian court was so fast
and prompt in accepting such a complaint, particularly when we
know there are so many more important cases waiting to be heard.

For example, the case of Gen. Djadja Suparman for the alleged
misuse of people's funds, which was uncovered by the now nowhere-
to-be-seen Gen. Agus W.; the case of Gen. Tyasno for allegedly
being involved in the counterfeiting of banknotes; and of course,
the case of Gen. Wiranto and his men for what they allegedly did
or did not order in East Timor before, during and after the UN-
sponsored referendum (the consequences of which we all know) was
held.

An Indonesian has the right to say anything in a foreign
court, hasn't he? And if Wiranto disagreed with the statements
made, his has the right to object. Unfortunately, none of these
four generals had the guts to object in a U.S. court.

This letter explains why I believe Gen. Wiranto is not a good
example for the Indonesian youth and why it is unthinkable, as a
certain Cindy Cross once wrote, to have such a person as a
potential Indonesian president. It is time for the Indonesian
Military (TNI) to leave the political scene. The function of TNI
is to secure and defend the country -- nothing more.

In the slander case, the generals have again demonstrated that
they are cowards hiding behind the Indonesian courts. They are
even asking Rp 100 billion in compensation, using U.S. standards
in an Indonesian court. Asking for such an enormous amount of
money (an old habit?) is an insult to the poor. And this is also
unfair to Tomagola, who will certainly be happier to defend
himself in a U.S. court (assuming he has the money to do so).

Tomagola must certainly feel very insecure in the
Indonesian courts that are ridden with practices of corruption,
collusion and nepotism, unless he knows for sure that the judges
in Cibinong District Court are fair, honest and clean.

YVAN MAGAIN

Tubize, Belgium