Should Soeharto be absolved?

Should Soeharto be absolved?

Last June 8, 2001 Soeharto turned 80. Since his admission to hospital, we have heard contradictory news about his health. Some have said his condition is worsening; others have told us that he is in pretty good shape, able to recognize visitors and talk to them.

In this regard, Minister of Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudoyono made a statement to the press after a recent meeting on politics and security. Quoting President Megawati Soekarnoputri, he urged the people of Indonesia to treat their former president humanely and settle all of his cases fairly by adhering to human rights principles.

Some people then began to air their view that legal investigations against Soeharto should be terminated.

Those in favor of such a stance contend that former president Soeharto has had enough punishment: he was forced from office, has since become the object of public ridicule and was finally brought to justice, despite the pros and cons of doing so.

Yet his problems remain unresolved. The legacy of the past still exists, and changes accompanied by what is termed "carry over" are inevitable.

To what extent would a termination of the case affect the commitment of Mega and her administration, ministers and other officials to create clean governance and their undertaking to educate themselves and eradicate the cultural ills of corruption, collusion and nepotism?

The government's policy of involving the business community in bringing about an economic recovery is welcome but they must close off any possibility of engaging in unsavory practices.

With this commitment in mind, we support adopting the right, just and humane stance toward former president Soeharto.

-- Kompas, Jakarta