Amien denies allegations of conspiracy against govt

JAKARTA (JP): Government critic Amien Rais dismissed allegations that he and several colleagues conspired in a recent meeting to disrupt stability and order as "worthless" yesterday.

He suggested that police discontinue the investigation into the alleged conspiracy, or risk ruining their image and alienating the public. He said he had evidence that would deflect police accusations that a meeting held on Feb. 15 at the Radisson Hotel in Yogyakarta discussed a plot to disrupt stability and order.

"The government will only ruin its image (if it continues the investigation)," Amien said.

Amien and 17 other people met at the hotel for a discussion organized by the Center for Strategy and Policy Studies (PPSK), which Amien chairs. Amien is also chairman of the 28 million- strong Muhammadiyah Moslem organization.

Later, it was reported that the meeting discussed efforts to mobilize one million people on the streets of Jakarta on March 1, the inaugural day of the quinquennial General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). The session reelected President Soeharto for a seventh consecutive term, appointed B.J. Habibie Vice President and endorsed the 1998/2003 State Policy Guidelines.

Participants at the meeting are also alleged to have denounced the government and discussed efforts to disrupt stability and order.

Amien, however, said yesterday: "We discussed efforts to survive a number of state problems, including the prolonged monetary crisis."

He admitted that some of the participants had voiced strong opinions, but even remarks made unintentionally were still ethical and "softer" than those made by people in coffee shops.

He expressed readiness to face questioning if police carry out their plan to summon him. He will provide them with a complete recording of the meeting and minutes of the discussion.

Amien has not yet been summoned, but two other participants, Afan Gaffar and Chairil Anwar, have both been questioned and a third, businessman Arifin Panigoro has been charged under article 154 of the Criminal Code on defamation of the government. The charge carries a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment.

An oil tycoon and owner of the giant Medco Energi Corporation, Arifin Panigoro is a graduate of the prestigious Bandung Institute of Technology. He is also a member of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), but was unable to attend the General Session on March 1 to March 11 because of the allegations.

Police began an investigation into the meeting after receiving a report from another participant and member of PPSK, Sofian Effendi, who is assistant to then state minister of research and technology B.J. Habibie. In his report he said the meeting recommended establishing a "people's power" movement.

Afan is on the record as saying he plans to sue Sofian for the slander that led to his questioning.

"I really do not know what Sofian's motive for the report to Habibie was," Amien said, "I only know that he was Habibie's assistant."

Amien said he met Arifin two years ago but they immediately became good friends. Arifin donated some money to several Muhammadiyah projects, including construction of school buildings and a hospital.

Two academics suggested yesterday that Afan Gaffar withdraw his plan to sue Sofian.

Minister of Education and Culture Wiranto Arismunandar and the new rector of Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, Ichlasul Amal, agreed the dispute should be settled out of court.

"It shouldn't reach the court as it will tarnish the image of the university," Wiranto said. (imn/23)