IF this commentary is correct, we should not devote too much effort to following the hearings between the government, represented by the prosecution, and former President Suharto and the Supersemar Foundation he once led. According to lawyer Juan Felix Tampubolon, the civil case against his client is nothing more than formalities, on the off-chance it could result in a victory.

For the government, this civil suit could be a double-edged sword. I