'I've already said my apologies': Soeharto

JAKARTA (JP): In response to demands that former president Soeharto apologize for his alleged wrongdoings and be brought to trial, Soeharto himself has said a further apology was not needed as he had already given one while in power.

"I have delivered apologies every year in my addresses to the nation in front of the People's Consultative Assembly," he was quoted as saying last week by Sulastomo, chairman of the Indonesian Haj Brotherhood Association.

The speeches explained achievements and "things yet to be regarded as successful during my term, which until the last General Session of the Assembly were well accepted," Soeharto was quoted as adding.

Sulastomo, also a former chairman of the Association of Muslim Students (HMI) in 1963-1966 on Thursday said the statements had been made during a private meeting he had with the former president.

The Assembly elected him president for seven consecutive terms before he ended his 32-year rule last May.

Sulastomo told a media conference at a hotel here that Soeharto had invited him to his Central Jakarta residence on Feb. 1 and that maybe other people would also be invited, though he could not say who.

Soeharto, he added, doubted the people would accept his apology anyway since he had the impression the public did not believe him at all.

Soeharto also said his wealth consists of Rp 20 billion deposited in three banks, which were not identified as local or foreign. Estimates of his wealth differ from US$4 billion to $40 billion.

Sulastomo said the retired general, whose wealth the government is beginning to investigate, believed the figure was obtained from savings from his salary as president and pensions from the Armed Forces. It also included remaining money from allowances for official trips and income from renting out his two houses. He is known to have another house on the grounds of the Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park (Taman Mini), East Jakarta.

Apart from Sulastomo, Soeharto, 77, has met with chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama, Abdurrahman Wahid a number of times and separately with columnist/preacher Emha Ainun Nadjib, both of whom have been critical of Soeharto.

Emha had invited Soeharto to this Sunday's gathering intended to offer prayers asking forgiveness of God at the Baiturrohim mosque in the grounds of the House of Representatives in Central Jakarta.

Like the previous meetings, Sulastomo's may lead to controversy, remarked former HMI activist Soegeng Sarjadi who was among the media conference organizers. But Soegeng said the meeting was nevertheless in the interests of democracy in accommodating all opinions.

Sulastomo added Soeharto had reiterated he was preventing further violence by stepping down last May following countrywide student demonstrations.

"The Armed Forces was still behind me, and if I had insisted on using them against student protesters, I was worried about the possible violence and victims involved," Sulastomo quoted Soeharto as saying.

Soeharto also denied charges that he was involved in unrest across the country, saying he no longer had political ambitions. (01)