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