Soeharto syndrome

Soeharto syndrome

Could it be that the medical world now has to solve a mystery
called the Soeharto syndrome: loss of speech when charges of
corruption, collusion and nepotism are made against him?

Former president Soeharto last week was once again being
investigated by a House commission into his complicity in the
allocation of state funds to a number of private institutions
under his command, notably to sons, daughters and cronies.

Soeharto's family members, medical team and lawyers refused to
give permission to meet with the former strongman on the grounds
that he was too sick to talk coherently. An independent team of
doctors appointed by the House of Representatives was not allowed
to see even a shadow of the speechless man.

His lawyers stressed it was useless to bring a man incapable
of speech before the tribunal. But, if forced to, he could at
least scribble down a "yes" or "no".

I know a former Siliwangi Command colonel aged 85 who still
remembers almost everything during his life. For instance, how
many times he was married and how many grandchildren he has. Just
in case Soeharto would be found guilty for abuse of power or
corrupt practices and meted out a sentence by the court,
President Abdurrahman Wahid would surely be willing to forgive
him, provided the money, allegedly illegally amassed, is returned
to the state.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta