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, but his cronies too must be 'eliminated'," he said.

A Golkar local campaigner, too, 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 (PAN) local chapter chairman, Abdul Manan, agreed. (39)