Treasure hunt
It started six months too late. And public outcry has been six times too loud. The results have been in as much doubt as ever. The hunted man still manages to smile.
After he stepped down, reformists made a tactical error: they did not press for the determination of what he was guilty of; acquiring and hiding wealth or abusing power.
He walked away a free man, still protected by his loyalists and former guards and officially he faced no single charge. He could appear on television without feeling guilty or shameful. After all, the state did not declare him an outcast or a criminal. The Armed Forces consider him an honorable person. Otherwise he would not have been invited to attend the Armed Forces Day commemoration on Oct. 5 along with Gen. (ret.) A.H. Nasution.
Until and unless a formal charge is brought against him, no legal proceedings can be commenced, let alone his wealth confiscated. Therefore, the treasure hunt should have been the last priority, not the first, of the investigation. The man must be caught first.
Meanwhile, it is imperative that the search for the causes of abject poverty leading in many areas to famine and human suffering should be continued unabated by all parties, in particular by newly declared political parties. To announce the names of their executive board members only, and not exposing their social programs in addressing the nation's pressing problems, is both sinful and just waste of energy.
The hunt for corrupt practices under the category of corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN) should not remain a favorite slogan by newly appointed officials. This transitional and chaotic period offers a good chance to many to grab what they can, to steal what they cannot grab, and to hide what they cannot steal, to donate to the poor if they cannot sell to the rich.
It is very likely that the discovery of illegally acquired wealth of a prominent person could lead to the disclosure of a string of other parties guilty to some extent of the same crime. The hunt for Soeharto's family's treasures or wealth will be a long and painful process. Any sensible person should remind this country's future leaders that the most valuable treasure available is not in the form of cash or tangible assets, but in human resources.
Nation building entails producing men and women of character whose words can be trusted, who believe that giving is greater in a moral sense than receiving, and that begging for international aid is undignified and unjustifiable for a sovereign and potentially rich country. That tolerance and honesty must be promoted at all cost.
Every responsible political leader should long for the day that this country becomes self-sufficient in meeting its needs as much as possible. Opportunities must be shared by all in as many fields of human endeavors as possible, including national income through autonomy.
In fact, I believe that the hunt for treasures should commence with checks into one's own personality, on whether you are loyal to your principles. If you hunt for treasures, reach for the stars. But stay humble and be proud of your achievement in making others happy, rather than showing off your wealth.
GANDHI SUKARDI
Jakarta