Govt set for Soeharto's legal fight

Govt set for Soeharto's legal fight

BOYOLALI, Central Java (JP): Minister/State Secretary Akbar
Tandjung said on Sunday the government was ready to face any
legal attempts to drag President B.J. Habibie into the corruption
case being built against former president Soeharto.

On the sidelines of a Golkar Party function here, Akbar, who
is also the party chairman, said the government expected Soeharto
to provide evidence if he went ahead with his legal efforts to
drag Habibie into the case.

Soeharto recently threw down the gauntlet through his lawyer
Indriyanto Seno Adji, who said Soeharto would disclose a
corruption case involving Habibie and other senior government
officials if the government continued its investigation into his
wealth.

"We welcome any legal fight if there is evidence and it is
left up to the court to decide. Don't just talk to the press
without giving tangible evidence," Akbar said. He suspected
Soeharto's move was meant to prevent Habibie from running for
president in the upcoming elections.

Habibie was state minister of research and technology for 24
years under Soeharto, until being appointed vice president in
March last year. Two months later Soeharto resigned in the face
of wide-spread student demonstrations and Habibie took over the
presidency.

Akbar said Habibie would continue the probe into Soeharto's
alleged corruption as ordered by the People's Consultative
Assembly.

Akbar also said Golkar would take "special measures" to defend
Habibie from possible legal moves by his former mentor.

"Soeharto's lawyer's statement could tarnish the image of
President Habibie, who is our strongest candidate for the next
presidency," Akbar said. (44/amd)