Megawati may 'pardon' Soeharto, aide says
SEMARANG (JP): Megawati Soekarnoputri would be lenient as president and pardon Soeharto if he was tried and convicted of alleged crimes during his presidency, her aide Dimyati Hartono said here on Friday.
The noted law professor and deputy chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) was commenting on the recent proposal to apply "political penance" on the five-star general for alleged corruption and abuse of power during his 32- year rule. Megawati is PDI Perjuangan's chairwoman.
First to offer the proposal was Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Abdurrahman Wahid, who said Soeharto should be made to return the fortune he allegedly amassed during his rule and be absolved by a panel of Muslim scholars. Pros and cons about the idea have been bandied about in the past several days.
"If Soeharto is brought to trial and found guilty, he might probably be sentenced to only three months (imprisonment). And after that he could ask for the president's pardon," Dimyati said.
"And if the president is Megawati, I believe she will pardon him," Dimyati told the media before attending a seminar here.
The matter would then be resolved, he said.
"Once Soeharto received a court sentence, his status would be clear in the eyes of his family, the public and international world," he said.
Dimyati stressed that applying only a political solution to the case was not a good idea because the investigation of Soeharto and circle of relatives and business associates must proceed.
"If we let him go just because he has contributed a lot to this country... that will be a bad example of law enforcement."
Observers and rivals have criticized Megawati for taking too lenient a stance on Soeharto's alleged abuse of power. Zarkasih Nur of the United Development Party (PPP) expressed doubt that Megawati was committed to the prosecution of Soeharto.
In her policy speech on July 29, Megawati said: "What should be done in relation to former president Soeharto is to have a direct and thorough investigation." She added that if he was found guilty, the justice system to be set up by her government would make sure that he was punished.
Meanwhile, Abdurrahman's deputy Said Aqiel Siradj agreed that only the courts should determine Soeharto's fate.
"Guilty or not guilty... it is up to the court to decide," he said.
"Even if after trial Soeharto is declared free because he had once been of great service to the country, the court has to make that decision. Not us."
Said strongly opposed Abdurrahman's proposal to exempt Soeharto from legal prosecution.
Abdurrahman, also the founder of the National Awakening Party, has argued it would be difficult to prove abuse of power by Soeharto.
"The law must be enforced," Said reiterated.
Even if Abdurrahman wanted to pardon Soeharto, he said: "It is his idea. Not mine. I don't agree with this notion of penance... Again, let the courts decide." (har/edt)