Habibie protecting Ghalib

Habibie protecting Ghalib

Once again the public must swallow its vexation. The hope that President B.J. Habibie would discharge, or at least suspend, Attorney General Andi M. Ghalib has been overturned. Habibie has preferred to take the more lenient action of auditing Ghalib's wealth.

Obviously, this kind of action does not satisfy the public. Still, this is the reality people have to accept. It demonstrates Habibie's insincerity in fighting corruption. There are many who argue that Habibie has no choice but to protect his subordinates since the unity of the government corps must be maintained. Furthermore, he had to avoid humiliating a subordinate. In any case, by taking this stance, Habibie has further damaged his reputation.

Some people have their own presumptions regarding the roles that Habibie and Ghalib are at present playing, for instance with regard to former president Soeharto. For example, it is speculated that Habibie's appointment of Ghalib was done on the recommendation of Soeharto.

Habibie's lenient attitude could also be seen as part of an attempt to block the anticorruption drive that is being launched by a number of nongovernmental organizations. For certain, Habibie, or anyone else who was a part of the old power structure for that matter, must be observing this crusade with the greatest discomfort since they themselves stand a very real chance of being swept away by the tide.

Nevertheless, once again we call on President Habibie to try to understand the public's sentiment. Habibie cannot continue to close his eyes to the public resentment that has been directed against the Attorney General's Office ever since Ghalib occupied it.

On the other hand we urge the Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) and other nongovernmental organizations to bolster themselves, work together and not to bicker. Their outstanding contribution to bringing about the great changes that we have been experiencing lately have already been proven. If that role were to get the support of our political parties, then there will be reason to expect a better future ahead.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta