Soeharto's political memoirs

Soeharto's political memoirs

From Merdeka

Former minister Siswono Yudhohusodo wrote in Merdeka on Oct. 25 wondering whether former president Soeharto would attend the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), and whether his political memoirs should be discussed at the Assembly.

It can be imagined that such memoirs contain a lot of self- praise and what the former president sees as his successes.

The important thing is not whether the memoirs are presented but that the MPR gives an official assessment of Soeharto's resignation; whether the way in which he announced his withdrawal without any accountability is acceptable. Besides, we also hope from the Special Session that the MPR gives an objective evaluation of Soeharto's leadership.

If the evaluation is good, the MPR should say so in order that if a member of Indonesia's future generations becomes president, that person can leave at will, following Soeharto's example. But if the evaluation is bad, the MPR must state this officially, otherwise it would be evading responsibility. This should never serve as an example for the Indonesian nation to the end of time, and it should be recorded in the country's history.

WARSITO

Tangerang, West Java