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)