Leader Orders New Inquiry of Suharto Assets

After days of bloody student protests, Indonesian President B.J. Habibie on Saturday ordered a new corruption inquiry into his authoritarian predecessor and former mentor.

The decision to appoint a commission to investigate ex-President Suharto’s wealth came precisely six months after Habibie replaced the 77-year-old former autocrat on May 21 as head of state after deadly riots and protests.

An earlier inquiry found no wrongdoing by Suharto and has been branded a sham by critics. A government spokesman said the new inquiry will be based on “credibility and integrity.”

A renewed wave of civil unrest in recent days has left 16 people dead, including eight students who were shot by troops in street battles in downtown Jakarta, the capital.

The students are demanding greater democracy and want Suharto to be put on trial for corruption during his 32 years in power.

For days, crowds of protesters chanting “Hang Suharto!” have been blocked by troops from marching on the former leader’s home, where he has remained a virtual recluse since he quit.

About 200 students staged a protest near the residence Saturday.

State Secretary Akbar Tanjung said the commission will “examine and investigate the wealth of former President Suharto.”

Members of the commission have not yet been appointed. However, they will have “credibility and high integrity,” Akbar said.

Akbar said Habibie ordered the formation of the commission after a four-hour meeting with some of his Cabinet ministers, including armed forces commander Gen. Wiranto, who has been blamed by many for the recent bloodshed.

Both Habibie and Wiranto are former proteges of Suharto and owe their careers to him. A number of other Cabinet ministers are also old Suharto supporters.

Critics and opponents of Suharto say he plundered the wealth of Indonesia over three decades. They say his six children and a small group of cronies built huge business empires under his patronage. They also accuse him of stashing a fortune in overseas bank accounts.

Suharto has repeatedly denied the accusations.