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)