Ordinary people have mixed feelings on former dictator

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri has only added fuel to the fire in the hearts of everyone who yearns for justice, when she announced that she was considering, in effect, a pardon of former president Soeharto's corruption cases for "health and humanitarian reasons".

Average Indonesians have their own views on the controversy.

Wasno, 24, a jamu (herbal medicine) vendor in Yogyakarta: I am opposed to the idea of clearing Soeharto of his charges. He has to be held responsible for what he did in the past.

Many people may say that the illness that Soeharto is suffering is a divine curse but, still, he is a free man. He has never been taken to court or jailed for his illegal behavior which hurt so many people.

M. Ikhsan, 30, sports shoe peddler, Sleman regency: I agree that Soeharto's cases should be abolished on humanitarian grounds. They claim he has been sick for years after his downfall.

I don't have the heart to see him in detention or tried if his present condition is legitimate. But any time I recall what his regime did to us in the past, deep in my heart actually, I want him to face justice.

Pariyem, 36, food hawker from Klaten, Central Java: I really don't know what they should do with Pak (father/sir) Harto.

Many say he's the one to blame for Indonesia's current problems, but many others - including my late father - said he was a good man. If that is true, though, then why are things only worsening after he retired and the country is led by other people?

Personally, I don't care if he is tried or not.

Tadjudin H, 28, geographical systems information analyst: I strongly reject the plan to abolish Soeharto's cases.

I believe in the rule of law and therefore legal cases should be settled in a court of law and justice must be done. The government should use this as an example case to prove that everybody is equal before the law.

Susanto, 30, a kiosk owner Gunung Kidul regency: I don't care!

Robert I.H. Situmorang, 25, a North Sumatra Islamic Student Association (HMI) activist: I reject the plan to drop the Soeharto case. His trial has become part of the reform agenda laid out following his fall in 1998.

I do hope that he is taken to court before he dies. The humanitarian excuse is unacceptable. It is only the government's trick to buy time.

I suspect that Megawati is hoping for similar treatment if she commits the same crimes while she is in power.

U.B. Surbakti, 40, a businessman: Just forgive the poor old wretch. He has one foot in the grave anyway. What can we do to a pathetic old man like him?

Our religion teaches us to forgive a dying person. Failing to do so is a sin.

A. Daulay, 48, a civil servant in Medan: Everybody is equal before the law. Soeharto is no exception.

But deep in my heart I want to see charges against him be dropped. He is a former president of the unitary Republic of Indonesia and not everything he did was bad.

Zairin Muas, 38, veterinary assistant, Jakarta: I agree with the President's intention to forgive Soeharto. He's a very, very sick old man. It would be inhumane to try someone in that condition.

Whether he is punished (by the court) or not, he will probably die soon, considering that he is an octogenarian now. I, however, would like to see his cronies/family aggressively pursued and put in jail.

Ali Sabana, 52, retail employee, It would be better if Megawati pardons Soeharto. All the efforts to bring him to court have been futile.

It would be more effective and useful for the country if we could persuade him to surrender all of his ill-gotten money, instead of threatening him with a legal suit. He remains a very powerful man with plenty of financial resources and therefore, far too much influence in the legal system of Indonesia.

Listiana Akhlis, 30, civil servant at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: I don't agree with Megawati's plan to pardon Soeharto without first trying him.

The Indonesian people will never forget that Soeharto stepped down thanks to the pressure of the people who were tired of his corrupt administration.

What the government really should do, is seize the assets that he, his cronies and relatives have plundered. I believe the police have more than enough evidence to take him to court.

If other countries such as the Philippine and South Korea could try their former presidents, why can't we?

Yuanita Theophilia, 20, student: First we need to hold a proper trial for Soeharto and his cronies for alleged corruption, before the President considers pardoning him.

If Soeharto is not fit enough to stand trial, he can be tried in absentia. President Megawati must remember that her government is committed to combating corruption, collusion and nepotism. And this is the right time for her to show her commitment.

Denny M.S, 57, a taxi driver: The President's intention is acceptable. Aside from his crimes, we must also consider his contributions to the country as well.

We must not deny that he has done many things to improve our welfare. I see on TV he is sick and the doctors claim as much. It is inhumane to force an decrepit old man to stand trial.

But the same considerations must not be given to his relatives and cronies.

Maksus Deden, 27, a food-stall manager: Releasing Soeharto from his charges? No way! Megawati has no right to do that to us, who have suffered.

A criminal is a criminal. He is the one to blame for this whole mess our nation is in. If he, along with his relatives and buddies, had not been so darn greedy, perhaps we could all have a normal life.