Observers take cold comfort in Ghalib's move

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On Monday, the government announced that Ghalib was no longer
active as attorney general, with Coordinating Minister for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)