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)