Prabowo intends to tell all in book

Prabowo intends to tell all in book

JAKARTA (JP): Lt. Gen. (ret.) Prabowo Subianto, the disgraced
former chief of the Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad),
has said he intends to put the record straight in a planned book
on events surrounding the bloody May 1998 riots and abduction of
student activists.

Speaking on behalf of his son, senior economist Sumitro
Djojohadikusumo said on Thursday Prabowo has revealed plans to
tell his side of the story.

Prabowo is currently in Amman, Jordan.

"He is now gathering funds (to publish the book)," Sumitro
said, stressing that his son was not a rich man.

Sumitro, who has just been released from hospital in
Singapore, said Prabowo frequently visits him and his latest
discreet trip home was on March 5.

"His father has just recovered from illness. What's so strange
if he then makes a trip here to visit," Sumitro remarked.

Separately, one of Prabowo's associates Fadli Zon said, "the
plan to write a book is a long-term plan but I think he has
already started to write in Amman."

Fadli brushed aside suggestions that the book was timed to
coincide with the impending retirement from active duty and
suspension as coordinating minister for political affairs and
security Gen. Wiranto, considered by many to have been his
political rival during the calamitous period in May 1998.

"Prabowo is not that kind of person. He has completely
accepted his condition," Fadli remarked.

"He has chosen to take care of his business rather than deal
in politics. I'm quite sure that he doesn't plan anything against
anybody here," he added.

Following an inquiry which implicated him in the abduction of
student activists, the husband of Siti Hediati "Titiek" Harijadi,
Soeharto's daughter, was dismissed from the military in August
1998.

Leaving his wife behind in Indonesia and his son in the United
States, Prabowo, 48, spends most of his time conducting business
out of Amman.(emf)