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)