Soeharto's game
As a part of his modesty campaign, former president Soeharto invited himself to the Attorney General's Office on Friday.
During the meeting with Attorney General Andi Muhammad Ghalib, Soeharto handed a letter authorizing government investigators to probe into any bank account under his name overseas.
Soeharto, who is facing a government investigation into his wealth, which is believed to have been illegally amassed through corruption during his 32 years of iron-hand rule, had earlier claimed that he did not have "even one cent" hoarded abroad.
His claim has been greeted with disbelief by the people here, who have long accused him of illegally enriching himself and of hiding millions of dollars in foreign bank accounts. They also believe he has abused his power to enrich his family and cronies, who have built huge business empires under his patronage.
It is not hard to support this belief because the newly rich people have shamelessly flaunted their wealth in view of the poor masses. Some analysts, both at home and abroad, have estimated his family's total wealth at up to US$40 billion.
Commenting on Soeharto's Friday visit to the Attorney General's visit, some law experts said that it has no legal impact whatsoever. Combined with Ghalib's visit to Soeharto at his residence on Monday evening last week, the whole game now appears like an unfamiliar demonstration of the authorities' disrespect of the principle of equal justice under the law.
This is a part of the public belief that the administration of President B. J. Habibie, who is Soeharto's former long-time disciple and trusted second man, has neither the guts nor political will to examine the former strongman's alleged corruption.
Soeharto, who has repeatedly challenged Habibie's administration regarding the probe, looks extremely self- confident lately. He seems to have learned well from other corrupt despots on how to avoid investigation.
He handed the letter of authority to the attorney general on Friday because he is convinced that from a technical point of view, it is not easy to pierce bank secrecy. In Indonesia, this can only be done with the written permission of minister of finance for the probe of a criminal case.
According to the law, the minister will only give a green light at the behest of either the national police chief, the attorney general or the chief justice.
Foreign banks can be expected to impose stricter rules in this case because any signs of leniency or carelessness could be suicidal. It is for this reason that many corrupt dictators have escaped unhurt after they have relinquished their power.
If the authorities here are sincere in this antigraft drive there is no other effective way than setting up a completely independent body, armed with a special law passed by the House of Representatives, to probe the case. This body can start its operation by questioning Soeharto on how he has enriched himself, his children and cronies.
To obtain solid proof, the body should also investigate all Soeharto's abuses of power, scrutinize all decrees and covert orders he made during his rule to facilitate special treatments for his children and cronies.