The Soeharto foundations

The Soeharto foundations

From Neraca

Of his own will, former president Soeharto handed over the management of seven foundations established by himself to the government. A good action amid the waves of society's demands to investigate his wealth.

The main purpose of the handover was to maintain the continuity of the help given so far, including help to orphanages, scholarship students, etc.

Criticism was also voiced at the handover of the foundations. Some people said the foundations could not be separated from the founder. It was actually wrong to state so. It is right for the foundations to be separated from their founder so that the wealth can be handed over fully.

Only one clause in a foundation's deed of establishment needs to state that if a foundation is dissolved, becomes inactive, all its wealth is handed over to another foundation or a similar corporate body having (nearly) the same aim and objective as the foundation's.

Therefore, if the handover of a foundation comes purely from the heart, it should be made as a grant to the state. Then, a change in the statutes should be made to avoid the intervention of the founder, eliminate his authority, change the board of advisers or supervisors if any.

The most important thing is to change a foundation's board of management so that later on the founders or their relatives can no longer declare the foundation their own. Thus, the state is not only the manager but full the owner of the foundation.

TAUFIK KARMADI

Jakarta