Investigation into Soeharto's fortune to proceed, says Muladi
Investigation into Soeharto's fortune to proceed, says Muladi
JAKARTA (JP): A government investigation into alleged
corruption involving former president Soeharto, his family and
cronies will continue despite Soeharto's ill health, Minister of
Justice/State Secretary Muladi suggested on Friday.
Speaking on the sidelines of a hearing with the House of
Representatives (DPR), the minister expressed confidence the
investigation would be fruitful. He said the Austrian and Swiss
governments had pledged to intensify their search for the former
president's wealth, reportedly stashed away in bank accounts in
the two countries.
"Soeharto's case will be tried before the General Session of
the next People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and President
Habibie will deliver his account of the investigation into
Soeharto's case before the Assembly," he said.
Acting Attorney General Ismudjoko sparked controversy on
Thursday when he said his office would temporarily suspend
inquiries concerning the ailing former president.
Ismudjoko said investigations would only be resumed once
Soeharto had completely recovered from the mild stroke. He also
said the inquiry would be aborted if he should suddenly die.
"Even a prisoner, if he becomes sick, is treated well.
Moreover, this is a former president," Ismudjoko said.
In a related matter, Soeharto's defense lawyers said the
ongoing investigation should be called off, because there was not
enough evidence to prove the allegation.
Lawyer Juan Felix Tampubolon said the acquittal of Soeharto
should not be based on feelings of sympathy because the former
president was sick. "It's out of proportion."
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Abdurrahman Wahid proposed the
establishment of a five-member team to investigate Soeharto's
wealth, a team which would include two representatives from the
Soeharto family.
"Its main goal would be to uncover Soeharto's wealth," he
said.
On Friday afternoon, President B.J. Habibie summoned Ismudjoko
and three doctors treating Soeharto to the State Guest House.
During the meeting, the President was accompanied by his three
coordinating ministers: Hartarto, Ginandjar Kartasasmita and
Haryono Suyono.
Chief of the presidential team of doctors, Ibrahim Ginting,
said Habibie summoned the team because he wanted to obtain first
hand information about Soeharto's condition.
"In general, his condition is improving," Ginting said at a
media briefing following the meeting.
Soeharto and his six children have vetoed any move by Habibie
to visit his former mentor.
Palace officials conceded the former first family had rejected
the President as they believed he had betrayed them.
"The President is very concerned about Pak Harto's condition,
and he is very eager to visit him," one official said on Friday.
The official recalled how Habibie, as state minister of
research and technology, led a team in July 1996 to arrange
Soeharto's medical check up at a German cardiac hospital.
A government source said on Friday the current situation of
former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet was an important factor
behind the Soeharto family's decision not to seek medical
treatment abroad.
While on a London health visit last October, Pinochet was
arrested on a Spanish warrant which charged him with human rights
violations during his 1973 to 1990 regime.
"The family is traumatized about Pinochet's case," a source
told The Jakarta Post.
Meanwhile, Pertamina Hospital said Soeharto was suffering
"problems" with the functioning of his right hand and right foot,
and that he was undergoing physiotherapy.
"The function of the former president's right hand and right
foot is nearly back to normal after some physiotherapy sessions,"
hospital director Sudjono Martoatmodjo said on Friday.
Sudjono earlier said his VIP patient had a blood clot in a
blood vessel in the brain, which affected the functioning of his
right hand and foot.
"Normally, patients who have suffered a mild stroke can go
home after two weeks of treatment, and after that the patients
continue the physiotherapy at home," he said.
In Ujungpandang, 60 students from Ujungpandang's Institute for
Teachers' Training (IKIP) held a mass prayer on Friday at the
campus' mosque. They were praying for a speedy recovery for the
former president.
Iswari Al-Faridzi, who led the prayer, said a fit and healthy
Soeharto was needed for the investigation of his abuses of power
during his 32-year tenure.
Flowers and sympathy cards though, continued to arrive at the
hospital. Antara reported that hospital visitors looted on Friday
about 100 bouquets of flowers intended for Soeharto just after
the truck arrived in the hospital grounds. (03/27/asa/emf/imn/prb)