Let's keep our emotions in check

Wednesday, Dec. 9, will stand as a historic day in both law enforcement and politics. On that day, former president Soeharto was summoned to the Jakarta Prosecutor's Office to be questioned about matters related to corruption, collusion, nepotism and abuse of power.

It is about time. The Indonesian people have been waiting for this action and students have been pressing through their demonstrations for the investigation to take place.

Now this has started, all Indonesians should restrain themselves and not make comments which only can add to the confusion and controversy surrounding this case of the century.

We should also not forget that Mr. Soeharto, as an Indonesian citizen, has the right according to the law to be treated on the basis of presumption of innocence, and receive the protection of the law. On the other hand, the government should also keep in mind that, despite his status as an ex-head of state, he is equal before the law and should be treated accordingly, without any special privileges.

Law experts and political leaders should refrain from making statements or comments which could create only more confusion in the hearts and minds of the people. However, almost everybody shares the opinion that the Attorney General's Office is rather slow in carrying out the wishes of the people as expressed by the students through demonstrations.

It needed a decision of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to get things going, but apparently even that has not been enough. Another push from President B.J. Habibie is required to really start the investigation of Soeharto.

There are other cases which received direct attention and were immediately tackled by the law enforcement institutions, such as senior members of the Barisan Nasional party accused of treason. This leads people to feel the government is reluctant to tackle the case of Soeharto.

There are people, such as Gen. (ret) Rudini in a report on private television station SCTV, who advocate that the investigation should start only after next year's general election and after a new, truly legitimately elected government is in place. This statement is, of course, contrary to what the people want in direct action.

But a legal government formed after the general election will not change the prosecutor's office or the police personnel. A new legal government will not change the facts on which the case of Soeharto is based. This is a routine criminal case which normally lies in the line of duty of the police and/or the prosecutors. Law enforcement forces actually do not need any decision of the MPR or a special decree from the President. You can imagine how busy the President would be if all criminal investigations had to wait for a decision from him. Investigations have nothing to do with the position once possessed by the accused because everybody is equal before the law. I consider this a delaying tactic only in favor of the former president.

We live in a democratic country and therefore we are all free to express our opinion, but at this time I suggest we restrain ourselves and save our opinions for later. Allow the attorney general, who has been attacked from all sides, to do his job in a peaceful atmosphere to achieve maximum results. For the time being, we should wait and see as to how the attorney general tackles this very sensitive and complicated matter and we should give him all the necessary moral support so that he can succeed.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta