Soeharto's mansion fund

Has Mr. Soeharto no shame? Disgraced, ousted former president Soeharto has asked that as a former president he be given a cash allowance of Rp 26.5 billion in lieu of housing for his needs. According to reports, he prefers cash to a house because he already has a house and does not actually need a physical place of residence. Under the circumstances, this request is remarkable enough, but what is even more incredible is that President B.J. Habibie has apparently approved this expenditure, and the new head of an ostensibly reformed Functional Group (Golkar) Mr. Akbar Tandjung supports this decision.

How many residences has Soeharto already acquired and equipped at the public's expense during his presidency? Soeharto seems content to stay in one place since his disgraced surrender of office in May. He does not seem to entertain public figures. He has not assumed the role of a respected elder statesman: how could he? How many residences does he now have? What else does he need? And with an official pension of Rp 15,000,000 per month surely he does not need cash for his remaining days.

The rationale that it is standard practice to provide a house to a former president, even if true, can be countered with the argument that these are not standard times. What is lawful is not necessarily mandated. If a former president or vice president had sacrificed opportunities for personal enrichment because he/she was preoccupied in the service of the nation, then the nation would of course feel an obligation to provide comfortable, modest retirement housing to him. The indications are that to the contrary, Soeharto used his presidency to exploit every opportunity for personal enrichment. Is he really entitled to a house at the public's expense now? At 77 years of age, could he not sell his Harley Davidsons or one of his other properties to raise money for necessary household renovations? Aren't his children willing to assist him in his old age?

If President Habibie is so devoted to his mentor, the former president, why doesn't he establish a voluntary fund, an account to which Indonesians can donate personal money for the former president if they choose to so honor him for his service? How many ordinary Indonesians feel obliged to make a personal donation to Soeharto from their meager personal funds? Or is Mr. Habibie setting a precedent which he hopes will be followed when he becomes the former president?

If they are so committed to his welfare, let Mr. Habibie and Mr. Akbar Tandjung be the first donors to Soeharto's housing fund. But spare the public treasury.

DONNA K. WOODWARD

Medan, North Sumatra