Soeharto's game
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.