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)