Government pledges to announce Soeharto investigation

Government pledges to announce Soeharto investigation

JAKARTA (JP): Monday. That is the latest in a line of promised
dates for the long-awaited unveiling of the results of the
investigation into former president Soeharto's alleged
corruption.

Attorney General Ismudjoko said here on Wednesday he would
present the results to President B.J. Habibie on Monday.

"Legal problems are always complicated, but I am scheduled to
give my final report to the President on Monday ... And if he
orders me to announce the results on the same day, I will do so,"
Ismudjoko said before attending a plenary Cabinet meeting at Bina
Graha presidential office.

Ismudjoko asserted that if necessary, he would not hesitate to
bring the former president to court. However, he refused to say
whether his report would recommend Soeharto be tried.

Ismudjoko indicated last month that his investigation had not
uncovered sufficient evidence to charge the 78-year-old retired
general.

"Just wait for the final report," he said when asked for
details on the investigation.

The attorney general hinted his report would only deal with
allegations that Soeharto was guilty of corruption, collusion and
nepotism during his 32-year tenure.

He said he would not submit a report on Soeharto's six
children and his associates, although People's Consultative
Assembly Decree No. XI mandates Habibie investigate Soeharto, his
family and associates.

"(The report) is only a follow-up (of Soeharto's case)," the
attorney general said.

Habibie is scheduled to give his accountability speech to the
Assembly on Oct. 14, and his handling of Soeharto's case is
widely expected to feature prominently in the speech.

Of Soeharto's children, only his youngest son Hutomo "Tommy"
Mandala Putra has been brought to court.

Tommy faces a two-year jail sentence for his alleged role in a
land exchange deal which caused the state Rp 95.4 billion
(US$13.4 million) in losses.

The South Jakarta District Court will issue its verdict in the
case on Oct. 14.

On the same day that Habibie will deliver his accountability
speech and a judge will hand down Tommy's verdict, the Central
Jakarta Court will resume hearing Soeharto's case against Time
magazine.

Soeharto lodged a $27 billion civil lawsuit against the
magazine for a cover story in May in which the magazine claimed
that Soeharto and his family amassed a $15 billion fortune during
his presidency. (prb)