Soeharto probe team offer has few takers

Soeharto probe team offer has few takers

JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie has delayed announcing
the line up of a special commission to investigate the wealth of
his predecessor Soeharto amid reports that several public figures
have turned down the offer of positions on the team.

Meanwhile, Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung disclosed
on Monday that the commission, which will be announced "in the
next few days", will have its power curtailed to gathering
information and making recommendations.

He played down reports that a number of noted public figures
had refused to join the team.

"The number of those who have accepted the offer is higher
than those who rejected it," he said after attending a five-hour
meeting with the President at Merdeka Palace.

Former finance minister Mar'ie Muhammad and respected Moslem
scholar Nurcholish Madjid were among those who turned the offer
down when approached by the government.

Mar'ie said he was too busy.

Nurcholish originally said he did not feel qualified for the
job, but when pressed further by journalists, admitted on Monday
that he had some misgivings about the commission's potential
given that Habibie's government itself lacked legitimacy.

"President Habibie needs to make a 'mental switch' away from
the New Order regime mentality. Although his government is only a
transitional one, it does not mean that it cannot carry out its
duty," Nurcholish said. Habibie was originally expected to
announce the team on Monday.

At its special session last month, the People's Consultative
Assembly issued a decree calling on the government to investigate
the wealth of Soeharto and other former and current government
officials, their families and business associates because of
widespread allegations of corruption, collusion and nepotism.

Akbar maintained that the commission would be independent, but
admitted that its authority would be limited to gathering data
and giving advice to the President.

The commission will not be able to directly investigate
Soeharto's bank accounts, for example, because only government
institutions have the necessary authority.

"Their findings and recommendations must be conveyed to the
President," Akbar said, adding that the commission would have
three months to complete its task.

Akbar dismissed the threat made by Soeharto's lawyer Yohanes
Yacob, who said that the former president would drag down Habibie
and other incumbent officials if the government pursued the
investigation.

"In what capacity was he speaking?" Akbar asked about the
lawyer's weekend statement, which was released to the press.
(prb/edt)