Soeharto heirs skip court hearing

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 02/20/2008 1:18 PM  |  National

Six children of the late former strongman Soeharto failed to appear at the South Jakarta District Court on Tuesday as representatives in a civil corruption case against their father.

The trial, however, began with Juan Felix Tampubolon, one of Soeharto's lawyers, giving the panel of judges a letter from the heirs.

Through the letter, signed by Soeharto's eldest son Sigit Hardjojudanto, the heirs asked the court to hear testimony from a civil case expert regarding their status as defendants in the trial.

Sigit chose economist and agriculture expert Bustanul Arifin as a civil suit expert to testify, said Juan Felix.

The judges turned down the request because the lawyer could not show them a power of attorney letter from Soeharto's children.

While insisting the heirs of Soeharto or their appointed representatives must show up, the judges sent a court officer into the hallway to announce their presence was immediately required under the law.

The officer called out the heirs' names one by one -- Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, Sigit Hardjojudanto, Bambang Trihatmodjo, Siti Hediati Hariyadi, Hutomo Mandala Putra and Siti Hutami Adiningsih -- but nobody responded.

The court then summoned once again the heirs to attend the next trial.

"This is the second and final summons to Soeharto's heirs to appear in court," presiding judge Wahjono told the hearing.

"If they are still unable to come, they will lose their legal rights and have the trial continued without the defendant number one," he added.

Wahjono adjourned the civil trial until Feb. 26 and reminded the lawyer of his clients' obligation to appear.

After the trial, Juan Felix said Soeharto's heirs would never physically come to court since they believed a power of attorney letter would be enough.

"It's common for the accused to delegate their rights using a power of attorney letter in a civil suit case," he told the press.

The lawyer said a power of attorney letter had been prepared but that Soeharto's heirs first wanted clarification on their status in a civil suit.

"We have made such a letter. It's been signed by all Soeharto's children, but we believe it is their right to clarify their status before we go on with the trial," Juan Felix said.

Soeharto's legal battle began in 2000 when he was charged with abusing his position as chairman of seven charity foundations to amass wealth while inflicting losses of Rp 1.4 trillion (US$150 million) and US$416 million on the state.

The former dictator never appeared in court until the criminal case was dropped after doctors testified he was not medically fit to stand trial.

Since last year, the government has been pursuing a civil lawsuit against Soeharto in a bid to recover at least US$440.36 million he allegedly misused from the Supersemar Foundation.

The money intended for student scholarships through the foundation was allegedly given to companies owned by Soeharto's cronies.

Soeharto's death last month saw the transfer of his legal rights to his children, who were first summoned on Feb. 12 to defend their father's case. (anw)

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