Little progress made in Soeharto investigation
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)