Investigating Soeharto's wealth

The government, i.e. the Attorney General's office, has started a probe into former president Soeharto's wealth, but I think the method being used is very sluggish. Apparently the government is not sufficiently serious about this matter. I would propose the following for scrutiny of the matter:

a. An independent committee consisting of prominent figures and experts from the community should assist the Attorney General. The committee should be established by the President and given legal authority.

b. The investigation into corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN), should start from below, i.e. from all projects connected with Pertamina, Garuda, Bulog (National Logistics Agency), toll roads, haj pilgrimage, forestry, purchase of state-owned companies' shares, land and buildings, ownership of expansive land like Jonggol. There must also be a probe into the granting of low-interest loans by government banks. Scrutiny must also be given to all presidential decisions and instructions which are tainted by KKN (e.g. the tax exemption facility to PT Timor Putra Nasional).

c. If the probe yields proof of corruption, to fulfill the requirements of Law No.3 of 1971, a further investigation is warranted. If need be, the party under suspicion should be detained, not excepting Soeharto himself. The wealth of a suspect should be confiscated and the defendant should have to prove the origin of his wealth in accordance with Law No.3 of 1971. The case should then be processed and brought to court.

The KKN probe also covers all state officials during Soeharto's reign and all Soeharto's cronies, cum businessmen.

The probe should not be too difficult because there is still a lot of proof around. If the investigation is deferred for too long, it is possible that the proof will vanish from sight because Soeharto's collaborators in the government still abound and will try to come to Soeharto's defense.

The independent committee is needed to inspire confidence of the people in the government.

SUHARSONO HADIKUSUMO

Jakarta