Time to side with justice

The protracted Bank Bali scandal has shown in a clearer light a phenomenal abuse of power. However, all the findings of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives and the special House investigative committee on Bank Bali, which could unmask the figures allegedly involved in this scandal, will be meaningless unless they are followed-up with a legal process. Only a court of law can declare someone's guilt or innocence.

However, the police and the prosecutor's office, hiding behind absurd pretexts, refuse to take any action. The police force has even withdrawn its protection of former Bank Bali president Rudy Ramli, an act which is a long way from a sense of justice and common sense.

Seeing the chairman of the Supreme Audit Agency trying hard to cover up the Bank Bali scandal has reminded me of an event last year involving Mar'ie Muhammad, who was the public's preferred choice to head the agency because of his spotless integrity. However, he was removed from the list of candidates by the ruler, with members of the House abetting by providing the stamp of legitimacy. It seems the ruler was sufficiently forward looking because he is now benefiting from appointment of Billy Joedono as chairman of the agency.

In fact, Billy Joedono and also Minister of Justice/State Secretary Muladi were previously known as "clean" figures. Unfortunately, both of them have now been contaminated by the virus of corruption, collusion and cronyism.

As for the chairman of the Supreme Advisory Council, Baramuli is indeed an extraordinary figure. Not only is he not afraid of anybody (as he has said repeatedly and my interpretation is that he is not afraid of fellow human beings), he also does not fear God. When the Bank Bali scandal began to be exposed, Baramuli, in a current affairs program on private television station TPI, argued that another participant, Faisal Basri, secretary-general of the National Mandate Party (PAN), said that he was not afraid to take an oath, or even take a "shrouded oath" (sumpah pocong as it is known locally). It is very likely that all the calamities befalling our country now are attributable to God's wrath at all the denials of responsibility on the part of our leaders.

Finally, let me call on:

* The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) and other religious organizations to counsel our leaders and authority figures. Who knows if there is still room in their conscience for some good advice and counsel.

* The police and the prosecutor's office should clearly declare whether they are on the side of the ruler -- with all the evil deeds and denials of responsibility which create misery for the people -- or whether they will take firm action to fulfill the people's hope by siding with justice and truth. Anything done to distort and cover up the issue at hand only bring a shower of condemnation upon these two institutions.

A. RAHMANTO

Jakarta