Parties deplore halt of Soeharto inquiry

Parties deplore halt of Soeharto inquiry

JAKARTA (JP): The Golkar Party and the Indonesian Democratic
Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) put their rivalry behind them
on Tuesday to deplore the controversial decision to halt the
investigation into former president Soeharto's alleged
corruption.

Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung said the government's decision
to drop the high-profile corruption case had disappointed the
Golkar party and the people. He also warned that it would further
jeopardize incumbent B.J. Habibie's presidential bid.

"It is feared the decision will spark widespread opposition
from the majority of people who have long demanded a thorough
investigation into the alleged corruption case. They will
consider the government unserious," Akbar said on the sidelines
of a People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) session.

Acting Attorney General Ismoedjoko announced on Monday that no
evidence of fraud was found during the investigation into two of
Soeharto's charity foundations.

Akbar said President Habibie was expected to give strong and
reasonable arguments for the decision when he delivers his
accountability speech to the MPR on Thursday.

"Other factions in the Assembly could gain a political
advantage from the decision and discredit Habibie, or block his
nomination," he said. Golkar has named Habibie as its sole
presidential candidate.

Aberson Marle Sihaloho, a PDI Perjuangan legislator, said that
his party was deeply concerned about the controversial decision.

"People will be angered by the attorney general's decision,
because they believe there should have been no difficulties in
collecting evidence to bring Soeharto to court," he said.

He added his party would not announce a response to the
decision. "Let the people react. Habibie will learn that his
decision will wreck his presidential bid," he said.

Golkar deputy chairman Slamet Effendy Yusuf warned that MPR
factions could turn down Habibie's accountability speech due to
the unaccomplished investigation into Soeharto.

Slamet said that Golkar, which is holding a two-day leadership
meeting, would later choose from three alternatives concerning
the presidential election: Whether to go ahead with Habibie's
nomination, look for an alternative candidate or support other
parties' candidates.

He hinted that Golkar faction members might cast their votes
for other parties' candidates if Habibie's accountability speech
was turned down.

Separately, coordinator of the Indonesian Corruption Watch
(ICW) Teten Masduki said he was not surprised with the
government's move.

"The current government lacks the political will to bring
Soeharto to court because it is part of the New Order regime
itself," Teten said.

Teten contested that the Attorney General's Office had found
no adequate evidence to declare Soeharto a suspect.

"If the Attorney General's Office was serious in carrying out
the investigation it should have investigated all sources from
which the two foundations raised funds," he said.

He alleged the former president had abused his power to press
state-owned companies to donate money to the charity foundations
he chaired.

Meanwhile, Faisal Tadjuddin, coordinator of the Movement of
Concerned Citizens of State Assets (GEMPITA), called on the next
government to resume the investigation into corruption cases
involving Soeharto, his family and his associates.

"The halted investigation into the two foundations could be
reopened if new evidence were found in the future," he added.
(rms/02)