Akbar's plan to go on Haj Pilgrimage<\/p>\n
Reacting to comments made by some circles on House Speaker
\nAkbar Tandjung's plan to go on the haj pilgrimage, his lawyer,
\nHotma Sitompul, called them \"uncivilized and nonreligious\". His
\nstatement was harsh and, perhaps, made without thinking.<\/p>\n
What is causing the problem for these dissenting voices is
\nAkbar's untimely plan to travel. Akbar is facing a legal case; he
\nis a suspect in the alleged swindle of funds from the State
\nLogistics Agency (Bulog) and may at any time undergo an
\ninvestigation carried out by the Attorney General's Office.
\nUnderstandably, there is suspicion that Akbar is buying time.<\/p>\n
Only Akbar knows whether his intentions are pure or not.<\/p>\n
As he is a suspect, the case is quite different. As the
\nAttorney General's Office is handling this case, it is also this
\noffice that has the authority to decide whether Akbar can depart
\nor not, by weighing the consequences of the ongoing
\ninvestigation. Prohibition may be interpreted as a restriction of
\nan individual's basic rights. Granting permission for Akbar to go
\non the haj pilgrimage gives the impression that he is enjoying a
\nprivilege.<\/p>\n
Yet, it should be remembered that going on the pilgrimage is
\nnot just a trip that is made by leaving a problem at home. With
\nthe case in which he is allegedly involved strongly indicating
\nsome form of orchestration, people will easily question whether
\nAkbar can perform his religious service peacefully. We should
\nlearn from him then if the conditions are as they are.<\/p>\n
-- Koran Tempo, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/akbars-plan-to-go-on-haj-pilgrimage-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }