Let's keep our emotions in check

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