Questioning of Saefuddin delayed due to Cabinet meeting<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Food and Horticulture A.M.
\nSaefuddin said on Wednesday said he was ready to be questioned by
\nthe police on charges of inciting public hatred if President B.J.
\nHabibie had given his approval as required by law.<\/p>\n
Saefuddin is to be questioned over remarks he made in October
\nwhich enraged Hindu and Balinese people.<\/p>\n
The police say they have met all legal requirements to summon
\nthe minister, including obtaining presidential permission.<\/p>\n
The minister, however, has suggested the police focus their
\nattention on more urgent matters.<\/p>\n
\"I hope the questioning will not be counterproductive and will
\nnot cause new tension among the people,\" Saefuddin said before
\nattending a Cabinet meeting on political and security affairs at
\nBina Graha presidential office.<\/p>\n
Saefuddin, who has named himself a presidential candidate,
\nsaid he would be backed up by a team of lawyers, including Eggi
\nSudjana from a Muslim association of defense lawyers.<\/p>\n
\"A presidential candidate must be prepared for serious tests,\"
\nthe minister said, bursting into laughter.<\/p>\n
Saefuddin, an executive of the United Development Party (PPP),
\napproached National Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi at the Cabinet
\nmeeting.<\/p>\n
However, after the meeting Saefuddin quickly went to his car,
\nwithout saying whether the President had approved his
\nquestioning.<\/p>\n
Saefuddin angered Hindu and Balinese people for saying he
\ndoubted whether Megawati Soekarnoputri, the chairwoman of
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), was a
\nMuslim, because she often visited and prayed at Hindu temples in
\nBali.<\/p>\n
He later apologized, saying he had not intended to humiliate
\nanyone.<\/p>\n
Saefuddin, a professor of agriculture, is known as a humorous
\npolitician. He has often sparked controversy.<\/p>\n
Also on Wednesday, the media waited in vain for the minister
\nto show up at the National Police Headquarters on Jl. Trunojoyo,
\nSouth Jakarta, following a police announcement that he would be
\nquestioned.<\/p>\n
At noon, a detective said Saefuddin had told police he could
\nnot turn up because he had to attend a Cabinet meeting.<\/p>\n
Police said they had already secured the required presidential
\npermit.<\/p>\n
If found guilty, Saefuddin could face charges of violating
\nArticle 156 of the Criminal Code. The charge carries a maximum
\npenalty of four years imprisonment.<\/p>\n
\"I don't know the exact date of his questioning, but he will
\nsurely be summoned next week,\" police spokesman Lt. Col. Saleh
\nSaaf insisted. (prb\/emf)<\/p>",
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