[nasional_list] [ppiindia] Old age and illness rust Soeharto's iron fist

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**http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/old-age-and-illness-rust-soehartos-iron-fist/2006/04/28/1146198345050.html



Old age and illness rust Soeharto's iron fist
  a.. 
 
Wedding guest . Soeharto makes a rare public appearance as he arrives for his 
granddaughter's wedding.
Photo: AFP


By Mark Forbes Herald Correspondent in Jakarta
April 29, 2006
Page 1 of 2 | Single page 
PAINSTAKINGLY collected inside a luxurious, leafy inner Jakarta housing complex 
are thousands of scraps of paper covered with the scrawled signature of an 
84-year-old retiree, a signature that once could once deliver wealth, success, 
imprisonment or death to any Indonesian.

Those closest to former president Soeharto, the dictator who ruled with an iron 
fist, say he keeps his hands flexible by repeatedly signing his name, time 
after time, day after day. Each scrawl is carefully gathered up and stored.

Also stored away are the lingering resentments of the abuses, crackdowns and 
breathtaking corruption that marked Soeharto's three decades in power.

This week, as has happened sporadically since his protest-driven overthrow in 
1998, debate over Soeharto's fate and health was sparked by a public appearance 
at a relative's wedding.

Guests reported that Soeharto - wearing a bright batik shirt and walking with 
the aid of a cane - looked healthy and cheerful, prompting the 
Attorney-General, Abdul Rahman Saleh, to call for another medical examination.

In 2000 Soeharto was charged with embezzling $US571 million from state 
charities - a fraction of the billions siphoned off by his clan - but the case 
was put on hold after a 20-strong team of doctors declared he suffered 
"permanent" brain damage from a series of strokes.

"We cannot leave the situation idle. I have already consulted the Supreme 
Court, and my view is that it's much better if we carry out another 
examination," Mr Abdul Rahman said, adding that his office would draw up 
alternative options for the case to proceed.

Trying the man responsible for suppressing democracy, overseeing countless 
human rights abuses and condoning the slaughter of hundreds of thousands during 
an anti-communist backlash would provide a powerful symbol for President Susilo 
Bambang Yudhoyono's reformist campaign, but few believe the will truly exists 
to pursue the ailing strongman.

This week also saw the launch of the Association of Soeharto Lovers, claiming 
to have 1000 members ready to take to the streets in support of their former 
leader. Organiser Iwan Panggu said there was no proof of Soeharto's crimes and 
praised his part in developing the nation.

"We will take all efforts to defend him from condemnation and defamation by a 
handful of people who wish to be popular by their statements," he said.

Soeharto's Golkar party also appears in conflict over the debate. The party has 
resumed a pivotal role in the Yudhoyono Administration, with leader Jusuf Kalla 
Indonesia's Vice-President. Mr Kalla has previously pushed for the annulment of 
a parliamentary decree issued during Soeharto's downfall in 1998 ordering he be 
tried for graft.

Golkar sought to grant Soeharto a distinguished service award last year, but he 
refused to attend the ceremony, demanding his legal status be clarified and his 
name cleared first.

Golkar parliamentarian and former attorney-general Marzuki Darusman says it is 
harming "the psychology of the nation" to have its ex-president facing charges, 
saying the trial should either be dropped altogether or proceed.

If Soeharto was convicted, Mr Marzuki said, "the Government's position on this 
is clear; that is if he is found guilty the Government will apologise and there 
is impunity. But if we want to close the case we have to make him come to the 
court. He has to attend the court. That's the law."

After watching footage of Soeharto at the weekend's wedding reception, Mr 
Marzuki agreed he appeared healthy.

A member of Soeharto's inner circle says he is physically healthy, but paints a 
picture of an elderly man who must be bathed, read to and have his tablets 
crushed into his food or he will refuse to swallow them.

Indonesia expert and Australian National University lecturer Greg Fealy says it 
is widely believed that Soeharto's illness is a ploy to escape justice, but 
public antagonism has been fuelled by the antics of his avaricious children.

Son Tommy was jailed for 15 years in 2002, after ordering the murder of a 
Supreme Court judge who found him guilty of corruption, but his term was later 
cut to 10 years without explanation. Subsequent remissions should see him freed 
next year.

Tommy also claims to be seriously ill and was transferred to a comfortable cell 
in Jakarta earlier this month, supposedly to allow better access to medical 
care.

Dr Fealy doubts Dr Yudhoyono wants to see his predecessor dragged through the 
courts. "When Soeharto stepped down the military pledged not to pursue the 
family. Yudhoyono was part of the military elite then - I can't see much will 
to put him on trial," Dr Fealy said.

Even some old foes seem prepared to forgive and forget.

Fikri Jufri's respected Tempo magazine was closed by Soeharto's New Order 
regime and he went on to play a key role in the campaign to unseat Soeharto. 
But now Mr Jufri blames Soeharto's "cronies" and children for many of his 
administration's excesses. "It was wrong he was against the press, closing 
Tempo. I was very, very angry, but time heals. I think he should be left alone."

with Karuni Rompies

Home » World » Article 
Old age and illness rust Soeharto's iron fist
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Wedding guest . Soeharto makes a rare public appearance as he arrives for his 
granddaughter's wedding.
Photo: AFP


By Mark Forbes Herald Correspondent in Jakarta
April 29, 2006
Page 2 of 2 
PAINSTAKINGLY collected inside a luxurious, leafy inner Jakarta housing complex 
are thousands of scraps of paper covered with the scrawled signature of an 
84-year-old retiree, a signature that once could once deliver wealth, success, 
imprisonment or death to any Indonesian.

Those closest to former president Soeharto, the dictator who ruled with an iron 
fist, say he keeps his hands flexible by repeatedly signing his name, time 
after time, day after day. Each scrawl is carefully gathered up and stored.

Also stored away are the lingering resentments of the abuses, crackdowns and 
breathtaking corruption that marked Soeharto's three decades in power.

This week, as has happened sporadically since his protest-driven overthrow in 
1998, debate over Soeharto's fate and health was sparked by a public appearance 
at a relative's wedding.

Guests reported that Soeharto - wearing a bright batik shirt and walking with 
the aid of a cane - looked healthy and cheerful, prompting the 
Attorney-General, Abdul Rahman Saleh, to call for another medical examination.

In 2000 Soeharto was charged with embezzling $US571 million from state 
charities - a fraction of the billions siphoned off by his clan - but the case 
was put on hold after a 20-strong team of doctors declared he suffered 
"permanent" brain damage from a series of strokes.

"We cannot leave the situation idle. I have already consulted the Supreme 
Court, and my view is that it's much better if we carry out another 
examination," Mr Abdul Rahman said, adding that his office would draw up 
alternative options for the case to proceed.

Trying the man responsible for suppressing democracy, overseeing countless 
human rights abuses and condoning the slaughter of hundreds of thousands during 
an anti-communist backlash would provide a powerful symbol for President Susilo 
Bambang Yudhoyono's reformist campaign, but few believe the will truly exists 
to pursue the ailing strongman.

This week also saw the launch of the Association of Soeharto Lovers, claiming 
to have 1000 members ready to take to the streets in support of their former 
leader. Organiser Iwan Panggu said there was no proof of Soeharto's crimes and 
praised his part in developing the nation.

"We will take all efforts to defend him from condemnation and defamation by a 
handful of people who wish to be popular by their statements," he said.

Soeharto's Golkar party also appears in conflict over the debate. The party has 
resumed a pivotal role in the Yudhoyono Administration, with leader Jusuf Kalla 
Indonesia's Vice-President. Mr Kalla has previously pushed for the annulment of 
a parliamentary decree issued during Soeharto's downfall in 1998 ordering he be 
tried for graft.

Golkar sought to grant Soeharto a distinguished service award last year, but he 
refused to attend the ceremony, demanding his legal status be clarified and his 
name cleared first.

Golkar parliamentarian and former attorney-general Marzuki Darusman says it is 
harming "the psychology of the nation" to have its ex-president facing charges, 
saying the trial should either be dropped altogether or proceed.

If Soeharto was convicted, Mr Marzuki said, "the Government's position on this 
is clear; that is if he is found guilty the Government will apologise and there 
is impunity. But if we want to close the case we have to make him come to the 
court. He has to attend the court. That's the law."

After watching footage of Soeharto at the weekend's wedding reception, Mr 
Marzuki agreed he appeared healthy.

A member of Soeharto's inner circle says he is physically healthy, but paints a 
picture of an elderly man who must be bathed, read to and have his tablets 
crushed into his food or he will refuse to swallow them.

Indonesia expert and Australian National University lecturer Greg Fealy says it 
is widely believed that Soeharto's illness is a ploy to escape justice, but 
public antagonism has been fuelled by the antics of his avaricious children.

Son Tommy was jailed for 15 years in 2002, after ordering the murder of a 
Supreme Court judge who found him guilty of corruption, but his term was later 
cut to 10 years without explanation. Subsequent remissions should see him freed 
next year.

Tommy also claims to be seriously ill and was transferred to a comfortable cell 
in Jakarta earlier this month, supposedly to allow better access to medical 
care.

Dr Fealy doubts Dr Yudhoyono wants to see his predecessor dragged through the 
courts. "When Soeharto stepped down the military pledged not to pursue the 
family. Yudhoyono was part of the military elite then - I can't see much will 
to put him on trial," Dr Fealy said.

Even some old foes seem prepared to forgive and forget.

Fikri Jufri's respected Tempo magazine was closed by Soeharto's New Order 
regime and he went on to play a key role in the campaign to unseat Soeharto. 
But now Mr Jufri blames Soeharto's "cronies" and children for many of his 
administration's excesses. "It was wrong he was against the press, closing 
Tempo. I was very, very angry, but time heals. I think he should be left alone."

with Karuni Rompies


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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** Forum Nasional Indonesia PPI India Mailing List **
** Untuk bergabung dg Milis Nasional kunjungi: 
** Situs Milis: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ppiindia/ **
** Beasiswa dalam negeri dan luar negeri S1 S2 S3 dan post-doctoral 
scholarship, kunjungi 
http://informasi-beasiswa.blogspot.com **

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