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