Jakarta – Ex-president Suharto's brother-in-law, Ibnu Hartomo, has denied that he is seeking to protect Suharto by setting up a coalition of new parties. In an interview with the opposition weekly magazine Tempo he said that there was no need to issue such protection; his purpose was to uphold the constitution which in itself would prevent legal action being taken against the former president

Fears of a comeback of the Cendana [Suharto] forces have begun to spread. An indication of this is a coalition of 70 parties – previously 90 parties – under the guidance of Hartomo, who was once involved in promissory note fraud.

The rumour is that these parties, including the Farmers' and Fishermen's Party and the All-Indonesia Workers' Solidarity Party, are funded by [the Suharto family]. Evidently the aim is to restore Suharto's forces to prominence and lay the groundwork for the failure of any attempt to bring him to trial...

Tempo: Do you need to try to protect Suharto from legal retribution through mobilizing these 70 parties?

Hartomo: That is a lie. It is not true that I have set up these parties to protect Suharto. He has never told me to fund any parties. The parties came to me and asked for guidance. At first there were only one or two, but eventually many came, and I held meetings to unify our perceptions.

Tempo: Are you certain that the parties you are guiding will have popular support?

Hartomo: Sure. I have been leading 200 mass organizations, with 40 million followers. Their votes used to go to Golkar [Functional Group Party]. In fact I only have one person in the DPR [People's Representative Council]. So I thought, why do they not all form a party? With two million votes, five of my members would be in the parliament. I am sure we could get five million votes. My organizations will support the party that I support.

Tempo: How will you direct those dozens of parties?

Hartomo: We must straighten out what "reform" means. Today should be better than yesterday. No destruction. What we see at present is not reform, but extremism and rioting masterminded by ex-Communist Party people. They are taking revenge because they were routed by Suharto. Things were good in the Suharto era. Six months after he resigned, the situation was chaotic. I have been to several parts of the country, and the people there agree with me. They ask: "How would it be if we went back to Suharto?"

Tempo: Is the current crisis not the result of corruption, collusion, and nepotism [KKN] during the New Order [Suharto] era?

Hartomo: True. But KKN really took off after Suharto was no longer head of Kopkamtib [Command for the Restoration of Security and Public Order], and could no longer keep an eye on the top echelon of government.

Tempo: In other words, unlimited presidential powers...

Hartomo: It has to be that way. Third World countries must have guided democracy.

Tempo: So those 70 parties are determined to see Suharto return?

Hartomo: There is absolutely no connection with that. They asked for guidance and I said that reform must be straightened out, and there must be constitutional discipline. Frankly, if the constitution was upheld, it would be difficult to take legal action against Suharto. Why? Because he held the MPR [People's Consultative Assembly] mandate and he has given an account of all aspects of his presidency to the MPR. What he did was constitutional, was it not?

Tempo: Is it true that they will protect Suharto?

Hartomo: Our perspective is clear – to uphold the constitution. There is no need to protect Suharto; the constitution itself will protect him.

Tempo: Are they in agreement over Suharto not going to trial?

Hartomo: I did not ask them. But I think so. They would not accept Suharto being put on trial.

Tempo: So why did 20 parties then withdraw?

Hartomo: That is their business. They withdrew not because of [differences of] perception, but because of differences between the party officials.

Tempo: How much have you spent directing these dozens of parties? Hartomo: Not a cent. I cannot afford to fund them. If there is a meeting at my house, they even bring their own refreshments. Tempo: Do you not have special access to [the Suharto family]?

Hartomo: Yes, I do sometimes provide letters to help people find work or meet certain officials; but not to ask for funds there.

Tempo: After the case of the fraudulent promissory notes, do your notes still have value?

Hartomo: Yes. That case has been dealt with by the police, and I was proven to be not guilty. Everyone knows the kind of person I am.

Tempo: Will these parties join together or go their separate ways?

Hartomo: I have suggested that they form five parties, in accordance with the five principles of the Pancasila. They would be called the Party for Fostering Ethics and the Faith, the National Prosperity Development Party, the Indonesian Democratic Development Party, the Indonesian Unity and Integrity Party, and the People's Prosperity Development Party.

Tempo: Have these parties registered with the Justice Department?

Hartomo: Not yet. Time is short. In my view, it is very difficult for new parties to take part in the election. It seems like the players are being deliberately restricted to [existing, Suharto-era parties] Golkar, PPP [United Development Party], and PDI [Indonesian Democratic Party]. This is no joke. I have, therefore, suggested that the 70 parties align themselves with the larger parties, which have many cadres and can guarantee a future for the country. In fact, only Golkar can do that. But it is up to them; they can join forces with any party.

Tempo: A financial audit of party leaders and candidates for representative office is one of the general election procedures. Are you prepared to have your affairs examined?

Hartomo: Oh, I am not a party leader and I have no ambition to be a candidate. Why should I be examined?