Soeharto inquiry reopened

JAKARTA (JP): The Attorney General's Office announced on Monday it was reopening the investigation into alleged corruption by former president Soeharto.

Without going into detail, Attorney General Marzuki said new evidence had been discovered to warrant a resumption of the investigation into the 78-year-old Soeharto.

Marzuki said evidence pointed to "a misuse of power and authority" in issuing government regulations and presidential decrees to amass funds for foundations linked to Soeharto, his family and associates.

In a statement, Marzuki said his office was revoking a letter issued by then attorney general Ismudjoko on Oct. 11 suspending the investigation into Soeharto.

Since he stepped down from the presidency in May 1998, there has been a public outcry for Soeharto to be tried for alleged corruption during his 32 years in power.

However, the Attorney General's Office after months of investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing and the investigation was halted on Oct. 11 during the last week of B.J. Habibie's presidency.

Since being sworn in as attorney general in October, Marzuki has expressed his commitment to reopening the investigation.

Marzuki said on Monday a review of the previous investigation uncovered new evidence "which directly or indirectly could harm the state's finances or economy".

"Reports from public and related institutions and other state bodies also point to indications of other cases of KKN (collusion, corruption and nepotism) allegedly committed by former president Soeharto, his family and his cronies," Marzuki said.

The Indonesian Transparency Society has claimed that at least 79 of 528 presidential decrees issued between 1993 and 1998 were manipulated to benefit certain parties.

Soeharto's lawyer Juan Felix Tampubolon was furious with the attorney general, arguing that once an investigation was officially suspended it could not be reopened.

"If there are any regulations or laws which allow law enforcers to revoke suspensions, please show us."

Juan said his client was willing to be questioned and had repeatedly stressed his desire to comply with the investigation.

Juan contended that Marzuki's move was politically motivated, and had nothing to do with his desire to uphold the supremacy of the law.

"Marzuki acts like a political warrior, not a law enforcer. As a state official he should uphold the law not politics, so that he can be responsible for his decision later," Juan told The Jakarta Post. (emf)