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)