Baaqil clarifies arrest order with Gus Dur
Baaqil clarifies arrest order with Gus Dur
JAKARTA (JP): Islamic leader Habib A. Baaqil, whose arrest was ordered by President Abdurrahman Wahid for his alleged involvement in the fatal Jakarta Stock Exchange bombing last week, withdrew his threat to 'retaliate' against the president, saying that the matter had been sufficiently explained to him.
He claimed on Tuesday to have had a very positive meeting with the President on Sunday. "I love Gus Dur (the President) even more now," he was quoted by Antara as saying. He didn't elaborate.
Last Friday, two days after the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) bombing, which killed at least 10 people, the President ordered the police to arrest Hutomo (Tommy) Mandala Putra, former president Soeharto's youngest son, and Baaqil over the bombing.
The President said the arrests were intended to prevent other (possible) bombings and an escalation of terrorism.
On Friday afternoon Baaqil went to the Jakarta Police Headquarters to clarify 'his position' as regards the bombing, while Tommy went to the Jakarta Police headquarters at the police's request on Saturday. They both denied being linked to the spate of bombings and are still free.
Police said they did not have adequate evidence to incriminate Tommy and Baaqil. This reportedly aroused the President's ire, which led to the sacking of National Police chief Gen. Rusdihardjo on Monday.
In several interviews with the media, the founder of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) said he was shocked by the President's statements and was ready to take appropriate action against the President unless he apologized for the controversy.
Baaqil stated in the Sept. 24, 2000 issue of the Forum Keadilan weekly that he was ready to disclose seven secrets concerning the President if the President failed to clarify his remarks and apologize within three days (of making the remarks). "I will file a law suit against him," he declared.
He said he also wanted to deploy FPI members, as well as Islamic figures, around the presidential palace.
However, he later said that he would tone down his anger for the sake of the 200 million inhabitants of Indonesia. "Who wants bloodshed? Even the security officers have advised me (to calm down)," he told Forum Keadilan.
Responding to a question as to whether he would proceed with his plan to sue the President, Baaqil said on Tuesday that he was trying to control his feelings.
"We want the best solution. We do not want the people to suffer more due to this problem," he said, adding that he wanted to discuss the issue further with other Islamic leaders. (sur)