Amien condemned for statement anti-Soeharto remark

Amien condemned for statement anti-Soeharto remark

JAKARTA (JP): About 100 activists demonstrated here on
Saturday to condemn Moslem politician Amien Rais for accusing
former president Soeharto of involvement in the murder spree of
Moslem preachers and alleged black magic practitioners in Java.

The youths, who called themselves the Enforcers of Truth and
Justice Institute (LPKK), rallied in front of the headquarters of
the National Mandate Party (PAN) which Amien chairs.

Amien was in Irian Jaya at the time on party business.

The demonstration lasted only about 10 minutes and ended
peacefully.

"It's haram (forbidden) in Islam to accuse a person without
evidence," Zulkarnain, leader of the institute's delegation, told
reporters afterward.

Amien alleged here on Thursday that former president Soeharto
was involved in the killings of almost 200 Moslem preachers and
people accused of practicing black magic in a wave of murders
that has swept Java.

He admitted he did not have enough proof to support his claim,
but Amien charged that Soeharto had the motive of wanting to
divert people's anger away from investigations into him and his
cronies.

"It is very difficult to find proof, but I think I am not far
from the truth in saying that Soeharto's hands are behind the
killings," he told members of the Jakarta Foreign Correspondents
Club.

Zulkarnain said the police should question Amien over his
statements.

He said that the police should also find out Amien's motive
for making the remark.

"If he (Amien) has evidence, he should have gone to the police
but not to the press," he said.

The activists also unfurled posters and banners criticizing
Amien's maneuvers.

"Amien Rais! Stop your provocation," read one poster.

"PAN yes, Amien Rais no," read another poster. (imn)