News Focus: Former critics show sympathy for ailing Soeharto

By Eliswan Azly

Jakarta
(ANTARA News) - Former President Soeharto`s hospitalization since early
January has elicited the sympathy of many Indonesians of all walks of
life, including people who used to be very critical of his leadership.

One of his strongest critics, Prof Dr Amien Rais, whom Soeharto
regarded as the most dangerous person during his administration,
surprisingly urged the government and the people to forgive the past
mistakes of the ailing former strongman.

"I hope the government in particular will immediately issue an official
statement of forgiveness to Soeharto," Amien Rais told newsmen in
Yogyakarta recently.

If the civil case against Soeharto could not be dropped, the government should make a special breakthrough, he said.

Accused of embezzling billions of dollars during his iron-fisted rule
for over three decades, the former dictator was ousted in 1988 amid a
tumultuous pro-democracy movement and economic crisis.

Despite the accusation that Soeharto and his family amassed billions
during his rule, the former president and members of his family have
never been arraigned in court for corruption.

Amirn said that based on Article 14 in the 1945 Constitution, the head
of state has the right to grant clemency or rehabilitation to a person
after hearing the opinion of the Supreme Court, and give amnesty and
abolition taking into account the view of the House of Representatives
(DPR).

"I am certain that the world`s leaders and the international media
continue to keep abreast of Soeharto`s case which has been in limbo for
the past ten years, and are waiting to see how the government overcomes
it," Amien said

Therefore, he called on the nation and the government to forgive Soeharto.

It was not only Amien Rais who showed sympathaty for ailing Seoharto.
Tens of youths grouped in several mass organizations and NGOs who were
so critical of Soeharto`s hegemony in the past, also expressed their
sympathy by urging the United Nations (UN) to apologize to Soeharto for
accusing him of being the world`s biggest thief of Indonesian assets.

The youths staged a rally for about one hour in front of the UN
representative office at Jl Thamrin in Central Jakartain on Wednesday .




They came from organizations such as the Indonesian Proclamation
Mandate Youths (PPAPRI), the Proklamasi Legal Aid Institute (LBH
Proklamasi), the World Muslim Brotherhoods (PMS), and the People`s
Movement for Political, Legal and Human Rights Education (Gempita).

According to the rally coordinator, Arman Remy, the protestors asked
the UN to apologize within 24 hours for its carelessness in announcing
false facts engineered by the World Bank and StAR (Stolen Asset
Recovery).

"In the investigation report of StAR, there is no factual proof
concerning the corruption accusation and it`s not mentioned where the
stolen assets are kept," Arman Remy, a lawyer who had joined the LBH
Proklamasi, said.

He said the protestors had prepared a class action through the
International Court against those releasing the false report, including
Robert Zollick, and they would demand US$ 15 million if their demand
was ignored.

Robert Zollick had previously released in the United Nations a list of
the 10 biggest thieves of countries` assets, who included former
president Soeharto. The former presdient was accused of stealing
Indonesian assets amounting to US$15-135 million or equal to Rp135-350
trillion.

In the meantime, Legislator Joyokusumo, who is also a younger brother
of Yoyakarta`s Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, said in Yogyakarta that the
people should be wise in judging Soeharto`s case.

"We cannot turn a blind eye to Soeharto`s shortcomings, but should also
look at his merits," he said, adding that Soeharto basically had done
more good for the nation.

Therefore, House Speaker Agung Laksono called on the people to show
appreciation for the former leader. "Without any intention to precede
God`s will, I would like to say that the people should show their
appreciation for Soeharto if he passes away," Agung said in Yogyakarta.



In addition, the chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council, Jambi
chapter, Sulaiman Abdullah, said the Indonesian people should not
forget former president Soeharto`s contributions to the country.

Sulaiman said people should stop their debates over Soeharto`s legal
case as during his term as New Order leader he had enabled the nation
to make progress and upheld Indonesia`s image in the international
community.



Pray for Soeharto

The "Majelis Zikir SBY Nurusalam", a worship organization, - was
reported to have prayed for the former president at the Rahman mosque
of Pertamina hospital after they failed to perform their prayers on the
fifth floor of the hospital.

"Actually we wanted to conduct the zikir (concentrated prayers) for
Soeharto in the medical treatment room of the hospital, but the room
was not big enough," Hm Tohir Akib, chairman of the Majelis Zikir SBY
Nurusalam said.

Some 12 members of the Majelis Zikir SBY Nurusalam wore white Muslim costumes when they visited the hospital.

"Although we could not pray for (Soeharto) in the hospital`s treatment
room, we conducted our prayers in the hospital`s mosque," Tohir said,
adding that they actually wished to pray for Soeharto for one hour and
a half by reading several Quranic verses. (*) END

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