Soeharto's case to be reopened, says Marzuki

Soeharto's case to be reopened, says Marzuki

JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Marzuki Darusman affirmed on
Wednesday that investigations into alleged corruption by former
president Soeharto and the Bank Bali scandal would be priority
tasks, but noted that "political dimensions" had to be taken into
consideration in the cases.

Marzuki would not specify what he meant by political
dimensions, but his remarks came on the heels of President
Abudurrahman Wahid's statement on Wednesday morning that he
personally felt that if there was evidence indicating Soeharto
enriched himself and his family, then the money should be
returned.

During a breakfast meeting with senior editors, the President
said the money could then be used to fund efforts to help the
country out of its current economic and food crisis.

"According to me, the most we can do is investigate Soeharto
and then, based on the results of the investigation, decide on
how much wealth he should return," Abdurrahman said.

When pressed further by journalists, Marzuki said the case
could not be viewed simply from a legalistic angle.

"There are political dimensions binding the case. They cannot
be avoided because it involves former president Soeharto and the
repercussions of the Bank Bali case," Marzuki said after meeting
with Abdurrahman at the State Guest House.

"But to reach a political conclusion and to make a political
decision about the matter, there must be a legal foundation,
which means that there must be a legal process which can justify
a political decision.

"If Pak Harto or whomever is then given clemency or whatever
you call it, then it must be first preceded by a clear definition
of his legal status," Marzuki explained, adding that Abdurrahman
instructed him to reopen and accelerate investigations.

Outgoing acting attorney general Ismudjoko decided to drop the
investigation into Soeharto's charitable foundations saying his
office could not find any evidence that Soeharto misused the
charities' funds.

Soeharto's case was a blemish on former president B.J.
Habibie, which, along with the Bank Bali scandal that allegedly
involved his close confidantes and close relatives, were among
the reasons his accountability report was rejected by the
People's Consultative Assembly.

Marzuki argued that whatever the final conclusion was in the
Soeharto case, the legal investigations must be allowed to
thoroughly proceed first.

"The legal part must be completed first judicially, and that's
what the Attorney General's Office will do. The political aspects
are wholly the prerogative of the President," he added.

He further stressed that the President also recognized the
need for haste in thoroughly concluding both the cases.

"It's very important for it to be resolved because the
international world is waiting for a sign that we are truly
upholding the law," said Marzuki, who will officially be sworn in
on Friday.

Marzuki acknowledged the public was pessimistic about the
capability of the Attorney General's Office due to the mentality
of personnel and the complexity of problems they face.

However, he still expressed optimism for his subordinates.

"In my view, there are still many in the Attorney General's
Office who still have a strong desire to resolve this case."(prb)