Government stalling on Soeharto: Experts

Government stalling on Soeharto: Experts

JAKARTA (JP): Prominent legal experts accused the government
of stalling investigations into former President Soeharto because
they themselves may be emotionally tied to the past regime. The
investigations have now dragged on for eight months.

Speaking in a discussion on Soeharto's legal status here on
Thursday were the University of Indonesia's criminologist
Harkristuti Harkrisnowo and lawyers Todung Mulya Lubis and Hotma
Sitoempoel.

Todung said the government lacked a "clear political
commitment" in investigating the case.

He said it was unlikely that President B.J. Habibie would have
the courage to bring his longtime mentor to trial.

"Their ties are too close," he said.

Habibie served as minister in Soeharto's four cabinets for
almost 20 years.

Habibie is bound by the People's Consultative Assembly Decree
No. XI to investigate Soeharto, his family and associates.

On Monday Attorney General Ismudjoko is scheduled to submit a
final report on the investigation to Habibie.

The report may also be announced to the public the same day if
so requested by the president.

However, Harkristuti contended that there should be no need
for the attorney general to seek the president's permission to
reveal the findings.

"I think my message for my friends at the attorney general's
office is clear: Don't be sissies," Todung remarked.

"Whether or not they find any indications of corruption in
their investigation, let the public know about the result --
whatever it may be," she added.

"Why should the reports go to Habibie first and be announced
later after Habibie's approval?" she retorted.

Meanwhile, Hotma Sitoempoel stressed that political attempts
to stall the investigation or "save" Soeharto would only
backfire, and sink the case deeper into the public's contempt.

"Take decisive actions; if law enforcers find indications of
legal guilt, name Soeharto as a suspect, question him and bring
him to trial. Only the courtroom will pronounce him guilty or
not," he said, adding that he was also skeptical of the
government's ability to take stern measures against Soeharto.

Despite the seeming progress in the Soeharto investigation,
many speculate the government will eventually drop the case for
lack of evidence.

On Aug. 18, just days after Soeharto was rushed to hospital
for intestinal bleeding, Minister of Justice/State Secretary
Minister Muladi hinted that the investigation may be dropped due
to a lack of evidence. (emf)