PPP takes advantage of Time report

PPP takes advantage of Time report

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Politicians took advantage of a Time
magazine report alleging that the Soehartos own a fortune of
US$15 billion, promising a serious investigation into the issue
should their parties win.

United Development Party (PPP) campaigner Bachtiar Chamsyah
said here on Thursday that his party would pursue the matter
seriously. "We will drag the corruptors of the New Order regime
to court if our party wins the elections," he said.

Justice Party (PK) local campaigner Sigit Purnomo Asri said
his party would also use the magazine report as campaign
material, but more as a way to remind people that a government
should serve its people, uphold justice and practice good
conduct.

The alleged corruption by Soeharto and his family, he said,
became part of the party's campaign for good conduct.

"Not only Soeharto, his cronies, too, must be 'eliminated',"
he said.

A Golkar local campaigner also found a way to benefit from the
uproar over its former patron's wealth. Agusman St. Basa, the
secretary of the local Golkar chapter, said: "Our campaign will
take up the theme of (a fight against) corruption, collusion and
nepotism and if Soeharto is guilty, he should be brought to
court."

National Mandate Party local chapter chairman, Abdul Manan,
agreed. (39)