Gus Dur pays Soeharto a visit at home

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid paid a congenial visit to former president Soeharto's residence on Wednesday which evolved into a birthday luncheon for First Lady Sinta Nuriyah.

The much anticipated meeting came on the day Soeharto was expected to show up for a medical examination to determine his health to face questioning on alleged corruption during his three decades in power.

While the visit to Soeharto's residence on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta, may have carried political undertones the atmosphere was a familial gathering.

The highlight of the private lunch was apparently a surprise gesture when the former first family rolled out a tumpeng (traditional yellow rice cone) specially made for Sinta Nuriyah who was celebrating her 52nd birthday.

After the lunch the two came out on the porch like old chums holding hands in front of the horde of waiting journalists.

"Please don't think bad things, this is no more than a visit from a younger person to his senior," Abdurrahman told journalists after the one-hour meeting.

Abdurrahman said he would visit Soeharto again during the fourth commemoration of the death of Soeharto's wife Tien Soeharto on April 28.

The usually reclusive Soeharto could only grin with his usual infectious smile as he was put on public display standing beside Abdurrahman.

He did not say a word.

When journalists pleaded for him to say a few words he waved his hand and gestured to his mouth as if to communicate that he could not speak.

The President went to Soeharto's residence immediately after chairing a morning Cabinet meeting. He was accompanied by his wife, State Secretary Bondan Gunawan and Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab.

Among those present during the gathering at the Jl. Cendana residence were Soeharto's two daughters Siti Hardiyanti "Tutut" Rukmana and Siti Hedijati "Titik" Prabowo. Soeharto's lawyer Juan Felix Tampubolon was also present.

While Abdurrahman was elected under a tide of reform which initially led to Soeharto's resignation in May 1998, he has made it well known that he harbors no ill feelings toward the 78-year- old former president.

He has even said that he would eventually pardon Soeharto if he is found guilty of wrongdoing.

Soeharto's state of health has been a point of controversy, particularly as lawyers have used it as a justification for not abiding to the Attorney General's Office summons.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Soeharto's eldest daughter Tutut said her father was very honored with the visit. She expressed hope the relationship between Abdurrahman and her father would remain good.

"Bapak is very happy because he is able to see the President," she said.

When asked whether Soeharto was able to communicate with Abdurrahman, Tutut replied: "He can talk slowly. Alhamdulillah (Thank God), physically Bapak's health is very good."

Checkup

The question of Soeharto's health was particularly important as Soeharto was, according to Attorney General's Office officials, due to be examined by a medical team from Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) on Wednesday evening.

But from the afternoon it was clear that Soeharto's family and lawyers had no intention of taking the former president there.

Tutut, who served as minister of social services in the last Cabinet under Soeharto, dismissed the idea altogether, while lawyer Tampubolon said neither he nor the Soeharto family had received any official request for the medical examination.

"Until this second, the family, the lawyers and Pak Harto's team of doctors have not received any information or notification," he said.

Marzuki said on Tuesday evening to student demonstrators that Soeharto would be examined by a medical team the next day. An earlier plan to send a medical examination team on Monday also failed to yield any results.

The examination was initially planned for 6 p.m. at the Cendrawasih Pavilion at RSCM.

At about 5 p.m. Attorney General officials were still insistent that the examination would proceed as planned.

But by about 7:30 p.m. even the doctors gave up.

"We've been waiting since 6 p.m.," RSCM neurologist Dr. Yusuf Misbach said as he left the hospital.

Later on Wednesday night Attorney General Marzuki Darusman said the medical team had prepared everything for the examination.

"The RSCM team even prepared refreshments," he remarked.

When asked about Tampubolon's statement that he had not received any request or notification about the planned examination, Marzuki charged: "Juan Felix is lying!"

Marzuki asserted that deputy attorney general for corruption Chairul Imam had presented the lawyer with the notice. (prb/byg)