Preparations for trial of Soeharto not ready

Preparations for trial of Soeharto not ready

JAKARTA (JP): Concrete preparations were yet to be seen at the
Ministry of Agriculture complex in the Ragunan area of South
Jakarta, which has been selected as the venue for the holding of
former president Soeharto's trial on corruption charges.

But a staffer in the ministry revealed on Thursday that a
closed-door meeting of the parties involved in arranging the
trial, slated to start a week from now, has been held at the
ministry for the purpose of discussing preparations.

According to the source, the meeting, which began at 3:30
p.m., was attended by, among others, South Jakarta Police chief
Sr. Supt. Eduard Aritonang and senior officials from the local
district court.

Separately, spokesman for the ministry Darman B. Hasibuan said
that the ministry has yet to receive any official notice from the
court about next Thursday's preliminary hearing in the Soeharto
corruption trial.

"We are still awaiting the official notification. I have only
heard the news on television," he told The Jakarta Post on
Thursday, referring to the announcement made at a press briefing
by South Jakarta District Court chief judge Lalu Mariyun on the
previous day.

Soeharto's lawyer, Juan Felix Tampubolon, was seen leaving the
ministry compound at around 3 p.m.

Speaking to the Post, Juan said that he was there to check up
on the auditorium and the preparations made by the ministry.

"I can't say yet whether I'm satisfied or not with the
facilities here. One thing for sure, the auditorium (of the
ministry offices) is a better place to hold the trial than the
(South Jakarta District) court building," he said.

"All we need is to put in the necessary furniture so as to set
up a court room. I believe the district court will take care of
that issue," Juan added.

He suggested that the authorities pay greater attention to
security matters.

"The ministry is located in very expansive grounds and is
quite open so that we need to take extra precautions. But I leave
all that up to the police," said Juan, who will lead a team of
six lawyers representing Soeharto at the trial, the first to be
faced by the former president since he resigned from office in
May 1998.

Located near Ragunan Zoo, the 17-hectare complex on Jl.
Harsono R.M. consists of six office blocks, a mosque and ample
parking space.

"I don't think we will face any technical problems in staging
the trial. The auditorium can house up to 800 spectators, not to
mention its 300-seat balcony," spokesman Darman said.

"The auditorium has three entrances connecting it to the other
blocks. We'll only open the main entrance and close the other two
so as to ensure security," he added.

Darman also said that the ministry had nothing to do with the
arrangements for the trial and the provision of security.

"But we're ready to provide furniture, and lighting and sound
equipment. That's all we can do to facilitate the trial," he
said.

"It's not up to us how to arrange the auditorium for a trial.
It's the South Jakarta District Court which will handle this
matter. And the South Jakarta Police will be responsible for
security," he added.

Traditionally, a court usually provides giant speakers and big
TV screens to accommodate a possible crowd of spectators in such
a high-profile case.

On Wednesday, Sr. Supt. Eduard said that his office would
deploy some 500 police officers to ensure security during the
hearing.

Separately, a group of some 200 men claiming themselves to be
from Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta rallied on Thursday at the
entrance to the South Jakarta District Court, protesting the plan
to try the former ruler.

Under the banner of the United Islamic Peoples Movement, the
protesters clapped and repeatedly shouted slogans, such as "Leave
Pak Harto alone!"

The group's spokesman Syaifuddin Samudi told reporters: "The
former president is unwell. He is sick. Why is the court forcing
him to stand trial ... It's a crime. Leave the man alone."

"We will return on Aug. 31 and will protest outside the
Ministry of Agriculture with at least 500 people," he said.

The ministry complex is surrounded by mature trees, giving a
secure feeling to visitors. A small lake is also to be found in
the grounds.

The trial was initially scheduled to be held in the district
courthouse on Jl. Ampera but was subsequently moved to the
ministry for security reasons.

"For the ministry, it's not a big deal because this building
belongs to the government and it's for a greater purpose," said
Darman.

"Our main concern is how to keep our day-to-day work going
here," he added.

He, therefore, hoped to soon receive an official notification
about the trial so that his office could make the necessary
preparations.

"Once we receive the notification, we'll officially inform our
employees so that they can make the necessary arrangements, such
as not bringing their private vehicles to work," he added.

Darman admitted that the trial could take months, but he was
confident that it wouldn't affect the ministry's work.

"I'm not sure that they will have a hearing every day. I think
they will just have hearings once or twice a week. So, our
everyday work won't be affected at all," he said.

"Not to mention Pak Harto's fragile health," he added. (nvn)