Little progress made in Soeharto investigation

SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): A promise made, a promise broken. Once again the government has came up short in its vow to unveil the progress of its eight-month old investigation into alleged corruption by former president Soeharto.

Acting Attorney General Ismudjoko over the weekend repeated the same words: "The investigation is ongoing".

The government had again promised that it would disclose the results of the investigation over the weekend.

"I have ordered the attorney general to announce very soon the results of the investigation and the legal status of the former president," President B.J. Habibie said on Friday.

"Within the next two days," Minister of Justice/State Secretary Muladi later added, backing up Habibie's order.

However, what was disclosed here on Saturday was no more a revelation than it was when the investigation started.

"But I've instructed the special prosecutor to start examinations, particularly on witnesses first, so there will be some legal certainty in the investigation," Ismudjoko said, trying to convince skeptical journalists that progress was being made.

He quickly added that there was some indication of impropriety in relation to foundations chaired by Soeharto in that some of the funds meant for social activities appeared to have been redirected for business purposes.

"We have to look into this much further though," said Ismudjoko, who was here to inaugurate Suwarsono as the head of the Central Java Prosecutor's Office.

Despite growing public impatience, the government has failed to make progress in uncovering alleged instances of corruption by the 78-year-old former president during his three decades of power.

The probe into Soeharto was initiated in June last year and later reinforced by a decree of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in November.

Two separate investigations are actually being conducted: by the Attorney General's Office and by the Ministry of Development Supervision and State Administrative Reforms. Neither has produced tangible public reports either confirming or disproving the allegations.

Despite repeated pledges by Habibie, critics doubt the president would earnestly attempt to bring the man he once called "a genius" to justice.

Ismudjoko, who took over from suspended attorney general Andi M. Ghalib in June, denied any foot-dragging in the investigation due to political pressure.

"The investigation into the former president is in no way influenced by political interests. I'm strictly conducting affairs based on the legal perspective."

Ismudjoko would not say when more progress in the investigation would be revealed. (har)