Ghalib ready to face Soeharto's lawyer
JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Lt. Gen. Andi M. Ghalib on Monday challenged former president Soeharto's lawyer to provide evidence proving his assertions that President B.J. Habibie and his Cabinet were involved in corrupt practices.
Speaking to journalists before attending a Cabinet meeting at Bina Graha presidential office, Ghalib described Soeharto's lawyer as lacking goodwill because he preferred to talk to the media rather than the government.
Asked about his readiness to face the lawyer, Ghalib responded: "Oh, more than 1,000 percent."
Lawyer Indriyanto Seno Adji said last week Soeharto would reveal wrongdoing by Habibie and other senior government officials if the government continued its investigation into his alleged ill-gotten wealth.
Habibie is mandated by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to investigate Soeharto's wealth. Habibie has repeatedly pledged he would carry out the task wholeheartedly.
Ghalib, widely criticized for a perceived timidity in taking Soeharto to court, said it was natural for a lawyer to try to defend his client, but warned the public not to be provoked by the statement.
"We will enforce the law, although it may be very bitter. You have seen what I have done so far," he said.
In Medan, three students continued their hunger strike for a third day on Monday to press their demand for Soeharto's trial. They said they would only stop their action when the former leader was tried.
"We give a May 20 deadline to the government," the students said in a statement.
In Yogyakarta, Soeharto's half brother Probosutedjo also urged a prompt trial of the former president to show his innocence.
"I'm looking forward to hearing from the court that all the corruption charges are groundless," Probosutedjo said on the sidelines of a ceremony to inaugurate the Yogyakarta branch of the Indonesian National Party (PNI) Marhaen. He is the party's chairman.
He said only a minority of Indonesians wanted Soeharto tried.
Posh houses
Meanwhile, the Attorney General's Office confirmed reports that Soeharto's family possessed three mansions in London, all of which are for sale.
Spokesman Soehandojo said staff members at the Indonesian Embassy in London verified the reports. Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas told Ghalib in a letter dated April 9 about the results of the investigation.
According to the embassy, the houses are owned by Soeharto's son Sigit Hardjojoedanto and his wife Elsye Hardjojoedanto and Probosutedjo.
Soehandojo quoted the London land registry as saying that a house at 89 Winning Town Road was owned by Elsye since July 26, 1994, another at 8 Winning Town Road has belonged to Sigit since Feb. 4, 1986, while a mansion located at 38A Northfolk House in Puteney Hill has been registered under Probosutedjo's name since Aug. 23, 1977.
The homes belonging to Sigit and Elsye are on the market by real estate agent John D. Wood and Co. for 1.95 million (US$3.12 million) and 8.5 million ($13.6 million) respectively. Probosutedjo's house is offered for 1.4 million ($2.24 million).
Soehandojo said there had been no offers for the mansions.
He added that the Attorney General's Office was extending its investigation into other assets allegedly owned by Soeharto's family.
A scholar and staunch critic of Soeharto, George Junus Aditjondro, said in September that three of Soeharto's children -- Sigit, Siti Hardijanti Rukmana and Siti Hediyati Prabowo -- and Probosutedjo owned five houses in London.
Last month Ghalib played down media reports on the planned sale of the three mansions, saying it was irrelevant to the government's investigation into Soeharto's wealth. (prb/21/44)