FORGIVENESS

It is undeniable that Pak Harto remains an important news maker. Although he has no longer been in power, his attraction has never faded away. Whatever happens to him, both national and international news media put this ex-president who had led Indonesia for 32 years in their spotlights. This is what we have been witnessing since January 4, 2008, the day he was admitted to the Pertamina Central Hospital (RSPP). The RSPP is indeed like his second home after Cendana because he has been hospitalized there for eight times since his resignation from power in 1998. Today, Indonesia's ANTARA news service, CNN, BBC, ABC and many others reported that he was in a very “critical condition” because “almost all of his organs have experienced a decline, especially his heart and lungs”. Amid this deteriorating situation, Singaporean senior minister Lee Kwan Yew visited Soeharto. For me, this is what a friend for! On top of that, what remains awaited by Indonesians is how the government resolves Pak Harto's alledged corruption case before his death. The “win-win solution” that the government offered yesterday was not acceptable by the Soeharto family with an argument that it was not at the appropriate time for talks about the legal matter. Maybe, it's true the timing is not appropriate for the government to push the offer. What is much better for him at this moment is the people's forgiveness and prayer. We need to be fair enough to judge him. Despite mistakes that he may have done as a human, we must also recognize his good deeds to the nation. The people’s forgiveness is the best thing for him right now.