'Back-room deal behind release of two Indonesians'
Tiarma Siboro and Yogita Tahilramani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
President Megawati Soekarnoputri is alleged to have made a compromise with the National Mandate Party (PAN) in the release of two Indonesians arrested in Manila, for the sake of her survival until 2004.
Political observer Arbi Sanit said Megawati needed to win the heart of PAN and its chairman Amien Rais, who has become outspoken of the government's policies and accused the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) of setting up the arrest of PAN member Tamsil Linrung, businessman Abdul Jamal Balfas and Muslim group activist Agus Dwikarna.
"Of course, Megawati must have done this to win the hearts of PAN members, including Amien, since she insists on maintaining her power until 2004. And asking for a favor from her ally President (Gloria Macapagal) Arroyo to release Tamsil and his friend Balfas is easy for her (Megawati)," Arbi told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.
Amien, who is also the People's Consultative Assembly speaker, has recently criticized Megawati's administration on other issues, her policy on asset privatization and her Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle's (PDI Perjuangan's) stance on the amendment to the Constitution, the process of which is under way.
Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered the release of Tamsil and Balfas on the personal request of Megawati last week. Agus remains under detention for alleged passport forgery.
The three Indonesian men were arrested at Ninoy Aquino airport, upon departure for Bangkok on March 13, for alleged possession of materials to make a bomb. Recently they were also accused of immigration violations.
Arbi said Megawati would do anything possible, including intervening in the law, to keep her power intact.
"Megawati has interfered in the legal system with the release of Akbar Tandjung from detention. It is just one example of how she prioritizes her own interests over legal affairs ... this is about securing power," Arbi said, referring to House Speaker and Golkar chairman Akbar, a defendant in a graft case involving the State Logistics Agency (Bulog).
Deputy secretary-general of PDI Perjuangan Pramono Anung and one of the party's legislators R.K. Sembiring Meliala denied allegations that Megawati had the two Indonesians released for the sake of her own interests.
"What Megawati has done is merely in her capacity as a President who is concerned about the fate of Indonesian citizens abroad."
"It must be understood that the approach taken by the President has not always been met with success. We know that Agus Dwikarna remains under arrest. The U.S. government is also continuing to try Agus Budiman for allegedly supporting the Sept. 11 attacks in the U.S. last year," Meliala said.
Even as Agus's detention has caused fury amongst members of Islamic groups in Indonesia, the strong suspicion of police officials has meant that Agus has been left to be further investigated by Philippines National Police (PNP) detectives, as a result of requests made by the Indonesian Intelligence Agency (BIN).
"What information BIN has against Agus ... whether it is linked to Muslim radical groups or terrorism, we don't know. What's certain is that BIN requested that Agus remain in PNP custody for further investigation," a police official who wished to remain anonymous said on Sunday.
National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Saleh Saaf said separately that Agus Dwikarna had not been released as yet because further investigation of him was still necessary.
"The PNP needs him for further intensive investigation. It's a requirement," Saleh told the Post on Sunday.