Soeharto's trial at Ministry of Agriculture: Yusril
Soeharto's trial at Ministry of Agriculture: Yusril
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Law and Legislation Yusril Ihza Mahendra hinted on Tuesday that the trial of former president Soeharto on corruption charges would most likely be held in the Ministry of Agriculture offices in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta.
Yusril, however, could not disclose the exact date of the preliminary hearing, saying that the officials in charge of the trial still have a lot of preparations to make.
But the initial trial would be staged in early September, he asserted.
A day earlier, the head of the South Jakarta District Court had said that the hearing would begin next week.
According to Yusril, who used to be a speech writer for Soeharto when the latter still ruled the country prior to 1998, the agriculture ministry offices are the perfect place for holding the trial as they can cater for a large number of spectators.
"I think it's the safest and the best place," he told journalists after presiding over a ceremony to install three senior officials at his office.
"I have called the Minister of Agriculture M. Prakosa about the idea. He agreed with it, saying that it would be alright as it would make his office more popular," Yusril said.
Switching the trial venue for Soeharto to a more secure and larger venue was, however, not intended to provide any privileges for the accused, Yusril said.
The main consideration was helping facilitate the trial process, he added.
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Earlier, some other places, including the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) in Senayan and the auditorium of the University of Indonesia in Depok, had been mooted as possible venues for the former dictator's trial.
"But the JCC is located within the jurisdiction of the Central Jakarta District Court, while Depok is in West Java," Yusril explained.
The South Jakarta District Court has accepted the case from the Attorney General's Office as the evidence involved is located within that court's jurisdiction.
But the district courthouse, Yusril said, is considered to be unsuitable for the trial due to its location in the vicinity of a residential area. Worse still, a gas station is located right in front of the courthouse, he added.
In addition, "the local residents have already rejected the plan to hold the trial there," he said.
Soeharto has been charged by prosecutors with allegedly misusing some Rp 1.4 trillion and US$416 million donated to his seven tax-free charitable foundations.
He is principally charged with violating article 1(a) of Law No. 3/1971 on Corruption for deliberately enriching himself at the state's expense.
Soeharto is also subject to subsidiary charges as provided for by article 1(b) of the corruption law, under which a defendant may be convicted for abusing power so as to cause losses to the state.
The crimes carry a maximum life sentence and a minimum of 20- years imprisonment, plus a maximum fine of Rp 30 million.
Attorney General Marzuki Darusman announced earlier this month that Soeharto was fit to stand trial.
Soeharto's lawyers have repeatedly claimed that their client is too ill to face trial because he cannot remember past events and is suffering from brain damage. Several days ago, the 79-year-old suspect was admitted to a hospital for brief medical treatment.
President Abdurrahman Wahid has repeatedly said he would pardon Soeharto if he was found guilty. But the President has insisted that any such pardon must be preceded by a trial.
Journalists who intend to cover the trial should obtain an ID card from the Jakarta Prosecutor's Office.
Separately, South Jakarta Police chief Sr. Supt. Edward Aritonang said that his precinct would deploy some 250 personnel to ensure security during the trial of Soeharto, a retired five- star army general.
"The trial will attract great attention, including the pros and cons of holding the trial," he told reporters on Tuesday.
If necessary, he added, his office would call on Jakarta Police Headquarters to supply additional personnel as back-up, Aritonang said.
These officers would be assigned to protect all parties involved in the trial, including the suspect, judges, and prosecutors.
"We will ensure the security of the trial venue," he said.
The Police, Aritonang emphasized, were also ready to deal with any protesting groups, whether they be pro- or anti-Soeharto, during the trial.
"The protests are allowed as long as they don't disrupt the hearing or cause chaos," he said, adding that his office has yet to receive notice from any groups intending to stage protests during the trial. (asa/bby)