Habibie: 'I was for the first time really alone'

May 23, 1999
Web posted at: 6:51 p.m. EDT (2251 GMT)

JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNN) -- B.J. Habibie has weathered numerous political storms since becoming Indonesia's third president a year ago this week when President Suharto resigned after 32 years in power. He has faced ethnic and religious conflicts, separatists in East Timor and a sinking national economy.

Critics predicted he would not last more than a few months. Yet Habibie has made significant reforms in Indonesia's government and managed to stay afloat in power for a year.

"I was very much aware of the many irreversible decisions that I have to make which could be very counterproductive for my country," Habibie said in an exclusive interview with CNN Jakarta Bureau Chief Maria Ressa. "And I was for the first time really alone."

The 62-year-old president has restored freedom of the press, released political prisoners and offered the people of East Timor a chance to vote on independence.

He has passed or set in motion nearly 300 laws, and is doing what a year ago seemed impossible -- leading Indonesia to its first truly democratic elections in more than 40 years, slated for June 7.

Suharto legacy mars Habibie presidency

Suharto says he will sue Time Magazine for publishing a report he claims is not true

Nevertheless, Habibie's accomplishments are tainted by his association with Suharto, who is the subject of a government investigation into his financial affairs. Critics charge Habibie is protecting his mentor of 25 years.

Time Magazine reported last week that the Suharto family has a fortune of about $15 billion, most of it tucked deep into private European banks. When he stepped down from the presidency, Suharto's salary was only $1,764 a month, Time reported.

But a government investigation determined that Suharto had only $300 million in cash and assets in Indonesia, and no accounts overseas.

Habibie says that the probe is still in the preliminary stages.

"The government investigation is in process, OK? When you are facing anybody, you cannot just -- even if that somebody has killed somebody -- you cannot just bring it and just hang that man. You see, you have to go through the process," he said.

Suharto told CNN he has no international accounts and his lawyers are planning to file a case against Time.

"He never lies," said Habibie of Suharto. "If he doesn't want to tell you, he keeps quiet and smiles."

Statements such as this one do little to calm Habibie critics. But the president said the investigation will continue.

Meantime, he said, he will focus on his job. His main accomplishment and challenge: to keep Indonesia united.

Jakarta Bureau Chief Maria Ressa contributed to this report.

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.