Megawati and Soeharto's trial

Megawati and Soeharto's trial

From Merdeka

In a number of meetings held by the supporters and cadres of
the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan),
Megawati Soekarnoputri has attracted mass attention by expressing
her dislike of the continued condemnation of Soeharto. She did
this last in Medan. Of course, this is an effective tool to
attract mass support and shows that besides commanding respect
and not being vengeful, she is very wise and prudent in her
struggle.

Now that other politicians are trying to pressurize, condemn
and unmask Soeharto and his new Order regime in order that he
should be tried and held accountable for his long years of rule,
including the unjust treatment of PDI Perjuangan in the bloody
July 27, 1996 incident, what will Megawati do?

Does she still remember how Soeharto treated Soekarno --
although she was still very young then -- by isolating him in the
last years of his life in order to curtail his influence?

Does she still remember how Soekarno's teachings were dumped
during the New Order era in order to stamp out his influence? All
these acts were more harmful than condemnation or pressing that
someone be taken to court.

Megawati's policy toward Soeharto is still unclear and in the
absence of her other policy statements, one may even get the
impression that she is defending him and letting him be by
telling her followers not to condemn him or pressing that he be
brought to book.

If Megawati pursues this policy only to attract the sympathy
of the masses, it means that she is allowing the New Order regime
(including the figures who often meet Soeharto) to rise again and
that she has forgotten that Soeharto is the political foe of her
father, Soekarno.

If this is the case, allow me to remind her that if she is
elected president, she should not take revenge on everyone who
once treated her unjustly. This would be the logical consequence
of the policy she has been pursuing now. Anyhow, the New Order
regime has helped Megawati grow in stature although certainly it
was a cruel regime to those kidnapped or even killed defending
Megawati. Remember, Soeharto is a cunning strategist. He
certainly does not want to see his political foes rule this
country except if they do not condemn him, do not take him to
court, let him be and do not take revenge on him.

Isn't Megawati destroying the supremacy of the law by giving
the impression that she is ignoring prosecution of Soeharto and
his cronies? In this case, what will happen to the people who
have sacrificed and are ready to sacrifice their lives to defend
Megawati?

AFRIDAM SIKUMBANG

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