Taking Soeharto to court

Taking Soeharto to court

Former president Soeharto has once again come under the spotlight of public attention. Legislators in the House of Representatives' Commission I have urged the attorney general to step up the questioning of Pak Harto to the level of a formal investigation, and even asked that the step be taken this very week.

The presence of the former head of state in court to account for his past policies would certainly have major implications. At the very least it would serve as a reminder, for government officials and for members of the public alike, that all citizens are equals before the law and can be held accountable.

We believe such a presence would have a positive effect on our drive to establish good governance and transparence in all sectors of public life.

Obviously, the right method would have to be found before such a decisive step can be taken. It would not be fair to judge any case only on its negative aspects and ignore the positive.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta