Observers take cold comfort in Ghalib's move
JAKARTA (JP): Observers have derided Andi M. Ghalib's decision to temporarily vacate his position as attorney general pending a graft probe, contending that the government's rightful course of action is to fire him.
Mochtar Buchori, a senior political observer and leading member of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday that President B.J. Habibie "wavered" in taking action against Ghalib.
On Monday, the government announced that Ghalib was no longer active as attorney general, with Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Feisal Tanjung temporarily assuming his duties.
Government officials have said Ghalib should be reinstated if his name is cleared.
"First Habibie gave the impression that he would take firm action, but this is a compromising decision that shows he cannot be relied upon when comes to a very important issue," Mochtar said.
"On the one hand (Habibie) could not deny the facts presented to him, but on the other he was unwilling to sacrifice his close associate."
He said that Habibie should fire Ghalib, a former chief military prosecutor during the Soeharto regime, and put in his place a civilian attorney like noted human rights lawyer Adnan Buyung Nasution.
"It is very ironic and humiliating for the nation to have had an attorney general such as Ghalib, and we expect to see the various legal institutions, including the military police, prosecute Ghalib according to the law," noted sociopolitical observer Wimar Witoelar told the Post.
Mochtar and Wimar termed the naming of Feisal as acting attorney general "another government blunder".
"(Feisal) does not have any legal background," Mochtar said.
Wimar said the appointment "implicitly shows that Habibie disregards the necessity of an independent attorney general... putting it in the hands of a military person used to a conventional chain of command really shows a lack of understanding on the nature of the legal process".
Earlier in the day, about 30 students from the Syarif Hidayatullah Islamic Studies Institute protested Feisal's appointment at the Attorney General's Office in South Jakarta.
The students said in a statement that "Feisal is a true remnant of the New Order regime and surely will not bring former president Soeharto to trial".
Proreform leaders and legal experts have accused Ghalib of deliberate foot-dragging in the investigation into the wealth of Soeharto.
Separately, justice minister Muladi said that Ghalib would be tried in a military court if proof of corruption is found.
"He is still active in the military... so automatically if something happens then the military legal system applies to him although his position as attorney general is a civilian post."
Muladi said that an audit of Ghalib would be completed within a week but resolution of the matter was likely to be protracted.
"Clearing up the whole issue will take a longer period," Muladi said, without giving a specific time span.
The Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) has alleged that two businessmen, The Nin King and Prajogo Pangestu, who are currently under investigation by the Attorney General's Office, transferred money to Ghalib's personal account earlier this year.
The independent antigraft watchdog termed the transfers "suspected bribes."
Ghalib said the funds were donations to the Indonesian Wrestling Association (PGSI), which he chaired, but lawyers and the ICW queried why transfers were made to his personal account.
City police questioned the executive chairman and secretary- general of PGSI on Tuesday.
PGSI secretary-general Chairuman Harahap said ICW's allegations were baseless and the bank account belonged to the association.
Chairuman heads the Center for Intelligence Operations at the Attorney General's Office.(byg/emf)