'I've already said my apologies': Soeharto

'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.
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