PL parliamentary group leader Somohardjo on investigation: “Do not delay”

Almost five months after the matter surrounding the indictment of Bronto Somohardjo was raised, the politician says he is still awaiting clarity on the further course of the investigation. The parliamentary group leader of Pertjajah Luhur (PL) says he was summoned for the first time about four months ago, but has not experienced any further steps in the procedure since then.

Somohardjo said in an interview with Radio ABC that he is calmly awaiting the investigation. At the same time, he believes the matter should not be allowed to continue indefinitely. “Of course, it should not take too long,” the politician stressed.

According to Somohardjo, speed is important not only because of the legal uncertainty. He fears that a lengthy investigation could ultimately become part of the political battle ahead of the 2030 elections. He says he wants to enter that electoral contest on a level playing field.

Somohardjo wants clarity before 2030 election battle

“I do not want to become an election issue. I want to enter the 2030 election battle on a level playing field,” Somohardjo said. With this, the PL parliamentary group leader makes clear that it is mainly the duration of the procedure that concerns him.

The politician says he is prepared to account for himself before a judge if the investigation gives cause for this. He wants a judge to ultimately rule on the accusations and opposes a situation in which the case, according to him, remains pending without clear progress.

“Bring me before a judge. Let the judge then say whether I am guilty or not.”

“Bring me before a judge. Let the judge then say whether I am guilty or not. But do not delay,” Somohardjo said. He states that he has confidence in his innocence and says that he himself requested to be indicted.

Confidence in legal procedure

According to Somohardjo, the investigation should therefore provide clarity as soon as possible. An indictment of a political office-holder does not automatically mean that someone is guilty. The further legal procedure must determine whether there are sufficient grounds for prosecution and, ultimately, a substantive hearing before a judge.

Somohardjo says his legal team is closely following the legal procedure. He himself says he is awaiting further developments and has not sought political or other help to influence the case.

Somohardjo says he has not asked for help

“I have not asked anyone to help me,” the PL parliamentary group leader said. According to him, it is especially important that people who have confidence in him receive clarity about the accusations. “I want everyone who trusts me to know that I am not guilty. But let that happen quickly.”

With those statements, Somohardjo says he is seeking to keep his distance from possible political interference in the investigation. He wants the case to be handled through the established legal procedures. The principle remains that someone is presumed innocent until a judge rules otherwise.

Political consequences towards 2030

Timing plays an important role for Somohardjo. Although the 2030 elections are still several years away, he fears that a protracted investigation could be used in the political campaign by then. He is therefore urging progress and a legal decision within a reasonable period.

For the PL parliamentary group leader, the matter is therefore about both the legal outcome and the moment at which clarity is obtained. He says he is not asking for a particular outcome of the investigation, but for progress so that his legal position becomes clear.

Investigation into Bronto Somohardjo must provide clarity

The case involving Bronto Somohardjo therefore remains open for the time being as long as the competent authorities provide no further clarity about the next step. For Somohardjo, it is precisely this uncertainty that is reason to publicly urge speed.

The matter may also have consequences for political relations, as Somohardjo remains active in Surinamese politics as PL parliamentary group leader. More reporting on developments in Surinamese politics can be found at Key News Suriname.

Somohardjo meanwhile maintains his position that he wants to account for himself before a judge if the investigation leads to that. He wants to prevent the suspicions from hanging over his political career for years without a judge having had the opportunity to rule on the case. The question now lies mainly with the competent authorities as to when and in what manner the investigation will proceed.