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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