Ghalib named new attorney general

JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie yesterday replaced Attorney General Soedjono C. Atmonegoro with the head of the Armed Forces (ABRI) prosecutor's office, Maj. Gen. Muhammad Ghalib.

The move has raised eyebrows since Soedjono was one of the old faces retained by President B.J. Habibie when he announced his new Cabinet just three weeks ago.

The transfer was made public by Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung who announced that the move was mandated in Presidential Decree No. 145.

There was no specific reason given for the move.

But he was quick to dispel suggestions that the replacement was connected to an investigation recently launched by the Attorney General's Office into alleged corruption by former president Soeharto and his officials.

"It is not true, there is no relation at all," Akbar asserted after accompanying Ghalib and Soedjono in their meeting with Habibie at the Bina Graha presidential office.

Soedjono, sworn in by Soeharto on March 19, announced early this month that his office had launched a massive investigation into corruption during Soeharto's 32-year rule.

Soedjono also disclosed last week that Soeharto had appointed Yohanes Yacob as a counselor to face immense criticism against him.

Habibie's government is facing mounting public pressure to take Soeharto to court over the former president's accumulated wealth to help starving people.

After meeting with Habibie last week, Soedjono gave no indication he was to be removed and even said he had proposed that his office become a separate and independent institution.

Akbar had nothing but praise for Soedjono, who is due to officially hand over his post this week.

"The President deeply appreciates his very proactive attitude in responding to the policies of the Reform Development Cabinet in granting amnesty for political prisoners and dropping charges against political detainees," Akbar remarked.

Akbar ducked questions on why Habibie had chosen an Army two- star general and not a civilian prosecutor, saying only that "the President has considered various aspects and sides. This is the best choice."

Akbar also denied that Ghalib's appointment was influenced by suggestions from third parties, including from ABRI.

Earlier in the morning, Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto unexpectedly met with the President but declined to talk much to journalists.

"There will be big announcement this week," Wiranto remarked smilingly as he walked away from chasing journalists.

Like Habibie, Ghalib is also a native of South Sulawesi. He was born in Bone on Jun. 3, 1946.

He was director of the Academy of Military Law before serving as South Sulawesi deputy governor between 1992 and 1997.

He then returned to Jakarta to head the Armed Forces prosecutor's office and the Armed Forces Law Development Body.

Both Soedjono and Ghalib refused to talk to the media after meeting with Habibie yesterday.

Akbar indicated that Soedjono's career in the government may not be over just yet.

"The President is giving very serious attention to Pak Soedjono's future," he said. (prb)