Permadi engaged in clandestine activities: ABRI<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The controversy surrounding the allegedly
\nblasphemous remarks of psychic Permadi Satrio Wiwoho continues to
\ngrow, with the Armed Forces (ABRI) now accusing him of engaging
\nin clandestine activities.<\/p>\n
Chief for ABRI general affairs Lt. Gen. Soeyono said yesterday
\nthat ABRI considers Permadi as a dangerous clandestine activist
\nbecause he was using tactics that could endanger the stability
\nand security of the nation.<\/p>\n
\"Permadi used clandestine tactics,\" Soeyono said, adding that
\nthe difference was that the soothsayer disguised his activities
\nunder different cloaks.<\/p>\n
\"It's just that he was wearing clothing other than those of
\nthe clandestine form, but the target was to undermine the
\ngovernment,\" he said. \"We see him as a clandestine activist\".<\/p>\n
Antara news agency reported him saying that clandestine
\nactivists have clear target groups, which are ABRI, the
\nPresident, the ruling political grouping Golkar, and Islam.<\/p>\n
This attack is the latest, by various parties, against
\nPermadi, who is now under police investigation for allegedly
\nmaking blasphemous remarks about Prophet Muhammad, and for
\nslander against Golkar and the government.<\/p>\n
Soeyono was offended by Permadi, who reportedly said in a
\nradio interview last year that the public should not trust the
\nCentral Java's Diponegoro regional military chief, a position
\nSoeyono was holding at the time.<\/p>\n
In response, Maj. Gen. M.B. Hutagalung, deputy to national
\npolice chief for operational affairs, told the press that the
\npolice are currently seeking evidence for the alleged clandestine
\nactivities. \"If the accusation is proved, then this won't be a
\ncase of ordinary crime,\" Hutagalung said. \"We're still looking
\nfor evidence, but for now our investigation is focused on the
\nslander part.\"<\/p>\n
He acknowledged that the authorities are taking it slow in
\ntheir investigation of the case due to its \"very sensitive
\nnature\", which calls for even higher thoroughness and accuracy.<\/p>\n
\"What's definite is that Permadi can be charged with
\nunlicensed duplication of audio tapes,\" he said. \"If this is the
\ncase, we can submit the dossier on him within this week.\"<\/p>\n
The police are still seeking more evidence for other charges,
\nincluding blasphemy, he said.<\/p>\n
Investigation<\/p>\n
A legal expert has called for comprehensive investigation on
\nthe case, taking into full consideration other factors, such as
\nthe context and condition during which Permadi purportedly made
\nthe offensive remarks.<\/p>\n
Dr. Muladi, rector of the Semarang-based Diponegoro
\nUniversity, told The Jakarta Post that Permadi deserves due legal
\nprocedures, and that he cannot be tried using only the audio
\ntapes as evidence.<\/p>\n
\"The causes, the context of the whole problems, have to be
\ntracked down and contained in the dossier,\" he said. \"Otherwise,
\nthere's a great possibility of a bias occurring.\"<\/p>\n
Muladi said as long as there is strong evidence, the
\nsoothsayer can be taken to court, but that \"in history, there has
\nnever been anybody brought to court for fortune telling\".<\/p>\n
However, he said Permadi could be tried if proof is found that
\nthe public was indeed disturbed by the circulating audio tapes
\ncontaining Permadi's allegedly blasphemous remarks and his dire
\nprediction of Indonesia's political future.<\/p>\n
Dr. Amien Rais, chairman of the Muhammadiyah modernist-Moslem
\norganization, said yesterday that the case \"became big because
\nit's been politicized\". \"Psychologically, this case is 60 percent
\nfinished, but because it's politicized, it's become even more
\ncomplicated.\"<\/p>\n
Amien was one of the speakers in a seminar last year during
\nwhich Permadi was supposed to have made the offensive remarks.<\/p>\n
The accusations against Permadi, from various parties, are
\nincreasing because \"certain groups are politicizing the case\".<\/p>\n
Permadi, while asserting that his remarks had been taken out
\nof context, has apologized to the public, especially the
\nIndonesian Moslems. He has also asked for President Soeharto's
\npardon.<\/p>\n
\"The procedures left to be taken are only legal in nature, and
\nshould not be spiced with politicking,\" Amien said. \"This case
\nshould be localized, we should not blow it out of proportion.\"
\n(swe\/har\/29)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/permadi-engaged-in-clandestine-activities-abri-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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