Justice has yet to prevail

Much is now being written about the alleged National Logistics Agency (Bulog) misappropriation that took place under former president Habibie's watch as opposed to the alleged misappropriation that took place under former president Abdurrahman Wahid's watch.

It seems that Akbar Tandjung can't remember back to 1999, but Habibie can. Their story, if true, would have been very good reading back in March 1999, when people in Indonesia were looking for a sign from the government that something was being done to ease their plight.

When plots are conceived to steal money, their designs are whispered in the dark. However, when politicians perform an act of statesmanship, charity, or a simple act of competent governance, they are the first to seek recognition through the media. At the moment, there seems to be no question about the category in which the Bulog scandals belong.

However, to expect the legislature or Attorney General's Office to actually find some notable person responsible and administer justice appears to be beyond reason. After all, it has been more than 3.5 years since former president Soeharto resigned from office and the only person I am aware of in the years since to have been found guilty of a criminal offense within the government and actually serve time for it was the unfortunate clerk that stole several expensive fountain pens from then president Habibie.

It seems that the problem with real justice in Indonesia is that the investigators, legislative committeemen and justices will ultimately all be peers of the accused. If this is the case, then it will require several generations of reform before the Indonesian people can expect to see real justice.

RONALD P.

Jakarta