Soeharto told to avoid trial, return 'fortune'
Soeharto told to avoid trial, return 'fortune'
JAKARTA (JP): Violence in Aceh and the investigation into the
alleged corruption of former president Soeharto featured
prominently in the meeting between leaders of political parties
and President B.J. Habibie on Tuesday.
National Awakening Party (PKB) founder Abdurrahman Wahid
suggested Soeharto return the fortune he allegedly amassed during
his 32-year rule to avoid facing a painful trial.
"It's too difficult to prove that Soeharto abused his power,"
Abdurrahman, the chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia's
largest Islamic organization, said.
Abdurrahman, who is better known as Gus Dur, made the
statement after the meeting at Merdeka Palace.
"A trial would take years and the verdict would be difficult
to enforce," said Abdurrahman. Instead of trying to recover
Soeharto's alleged wealth through formal channels, a panel of
Muslim experts should pardon him and confiscate his fortune,
Abdurrahman said.
The money could then be used to feed the poor and stimulate
economic growth, he said.
According to Habibie, Abdurrahman raised the issue in his
capacity as a "wise man".
A formal probe into the wealth of Soeharto and his children
has been put on hold while Soeharto recovers from a mild stroke
he suffered in July.
Other opposition leaders, including presidential hopefuls
Megawati Soekarnoputri and Amien Rais, have dismissed proposals
to pardon Soeharto, saying he should not escape justice.
Both Megawati and Amien were absent from Tuesday's meeting.
Amien could not attend because his mother was ill in Surakarta,
Central Java. Megawati, meanwhile, cited several technicalities
for her refusal to attend the meeting, including the failure of
Minister/State Secretary Muladi to specify whether she was being
invited in her capacity as the chairwoman of the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).
Three PDI Perjuangan executives did attend the meeting, but
one of Megawati's deputies, Kwik Kian Gie, said he was there in a
personal capacity.
Crescent Star Party (PBB) chairman Yusril Ihza Mahendra also
demanded Soeharto be brought to trial if there was evidence he
committed crimes or abused his power.
"I reject Gus Dur's suggestion that Soeharto's case be
resolved through 'Islamic law,'" he said after attending the
meeting with Habibie.
Yusuf Hasyim of the Muslim Community Awakening Party (PKU)
agreed that Soeharto should be tried. "As long as he is not
condemned, tortured or abused."
Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung said Soeharto was yet to give
his account for a number of political matters which occurred
during the last months of his presidency, namely between March
11, 1998 and May 20, 1998.
"If he is really guilty, the government must have the courage
to say so, but if he's innocent the government must declare
this," Akbar said.
PDI Perjuangan secretary-general Alex Litaay refused to
comment, saying his party needed to discuss the results of the
meeting first.
According to Minister of Information Lt. Gen. Muhammad Yunus,
Habibie responded to the issue of the Soeharto investigation by
pointing out how difficult it was for the Philippines to
investigate the corruption committed by its former president
Ferdinand Marcos.
"Even after 16 years, a legal settlement (on Marcos) has still
not been achieved," Yunus quoted Habibie as saying.
Also during the meeting, National Mandate Party (PAN) deputy
chairman A.M. Fatwa told the President not to make promises he
could not fulfill, particularly to the Acehnese.
Fatwa, who was imprisoned for his outspokenness during the
Soeharto regime, said Habibie should end the suffering of people
in Aceh and other troubled provinces.
"The use of violence and the security approach should not be
continued. Please talk to Acehnese leaders like Hasan Tiro," said
Fatwa, referring to the leader of the separatist Free Aceh
Movement who resides in Sweden.
Yunus also said Justice Party (PK) president Nurmahmudi Ismail
demanded the government settle the unrest and assist refugees in
Ambon, Maluku, Sambas and Aceh.
The meeting at Merdeka Palace was attended by the leaders of
21 political parties.
As Habibie was preparing to deliver his speech, he ordered his
security guards to allow journalists to cover the speech. "Let
them stay here; this is the era of transparency," Habibie said
when he saw the guards asking journalists to leave the venue.
Before the meeting, Habibie warmly greeted his guests. "He
kissed my neck because I am too tall for him," Yusril said.
After delivering his speech, the President invited the
political leaders to lunch to continue their discussion. PNI-
Front Marhaenis chairman Probosutedjo, who is also Soeharto's
half-brother, left the palace before the lunch.
Habibie said he would invite the leaders of all 48 political
parties to Merdeka Palace next Friday to express his gratitude
for their hard work during the elections. (prb/swe)