Rp 5 million for Soewondo

Rp 5 million for Soewondo

From Neraca

The settlement of the case related to the manipulation of the Yanatera Foundation (dubbed Bulogate) is nearing completion. The Jakarta Police have interrogated a number of people allegedly involved in this case and have even obtained information from President Abdurrahman Wahid and a number of people from the palace.

However, the police have still yet to find and arrest the chief perpetrator.

Soewondo, allegedly the main perpetrator behind this scam, is still at large although the police have hundreds of Interpol agents searching for him. They have even offered Rp 2 million to anybody who can get hold of Soewondo.

Yet, Soewondo, the palace masseur, is still free, living the life of a sinless person. The police have also been unable to discover his whereabouts.

In this respect, GOWA is of the opinion that the police have not done their utmost in searching for this fugitive. The unfortunate impression is that the police let this masseur disappear without a trace.

Government Watch Body GOWA also believes that in the absence of Soewondo, the court trial of the Bulogate case to be held at some later date will not come up with enough evidence to expose the crux of the matter.

Without Soewondo's testimony, a court trial of former deputy chief of Bulog Dr. Sapuan will only be fraught with orchestrated maneuvers and will be far from the fair trial the public longs to see.

We still believe that Soewondo is the key witness whose testimony may be used to cross-check the testimony of other parties.

Therefore, to ensure that the court trial of the Bulogate case comes up with the real perpetrator and serves justice, GOWA offers Rp 5,000,000 to anyone from a law enforcement agency who can arrest Soewondo.

GOWA calls on Soewondo to act in a gentlemanly manner by voluntarily surrendering himself to the police.

GOWA also calls on all parties directly or indirectly involved in this Bulogate case to show their good will and honesty.

FARID R. FAQIH

Coordinator of Government Watch (GOWA)

Jakarta