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