Lawyers urge reopening of Soeharto's case

Lawyers urge reopening of Soeharto's case

JAKARTA (JP): Two groups of lawyers demanded the South Jakarta
District Court on Monday revoke a decree issued by the Attorney
General's Office two weeks ago, which stopped of a year-long
investigation into alleged corruption by former president
Soeharto for lack of evidence.

In separate first hearings, Indonesia's Law Defenders Team
(TPHI) and the Forum for Lawyers and Defenders of Law, Justice
and Democracy (FPPHKD) said the decree was against the spirit of
People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Decree No. 21/1998 which
fosters an anticorruption, collusion and nepotism drive in the
country.

The groups of lawyers also asserted the decree was invalid
since the office had yet to tip the former strongman as a
suspect.

According to TPHI, former president B.J. Habibie, who replaced
Soeharto in May last year, had ordered the Attorney General to
investigate the alleged corruption committed by his predecessor
regarding the operation of Soeharto's charities, namely Dharmais,
Supersemar and Dakab.

During his tenure, Soeharto had urged some state enterprises
to contribute 5 percent of their profits to his charities.

"The MPR decree stipulates that eradicating corruption,
collusion and nepotism must be carried out for anyone, including
former president Soeharto," said Victor Nadapdap, one of the 12
TPHI members.

The hearing was presided over by judge T.H.S. Pardede, with
the Attorney General's Office represented by four lawyers,
including Chairuman Harahap and Suriansjah.

In the letter of defense, the Attorney General's Office
lawyers said TPHI had no competency to file such a lawsuit since
they were not subjects of the case.

"TPHI are not the victims, and also they don't have judiciary
relations with the alleged criminal case committed by the former
president," said the Office's lawyers.

In a separate courtroom, representatives of 23 lawyers grouped
under FPPHKD said the Attorney General's Office had conducted an
investigation lasting only 10 days before issuing such a decree
without mentioning the former president as a suspect.

"It's a premature move, and it has brought anxiety to people.
It also betrayed the MPR decree," the lawyers said.

The Office's lawyers, who were the same used for the first
session, said in their letter of defense that the existing law
did not rule the days of the investigation.

"It's not a great deal mentioning someone as a suspect or not.
The important thing is how to find evidence, which can lead to
find the suspect later," lawyer Chairuman told the court.

Soeharto's lawyers, including Juan Felix Tampubolon and M.
Assegaff, who also attended the trial, said FPPHKD had carried
out wrong procedures in the trial.

"The lawyers must file a request letter to the chairman of the
South Jakarta District Court, instead of filing a lawsuit to the
court," said Juan.

Both judges adjourned the trial sessions until Tuesday to hear
testimony from witnesses. (asa)