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)