'Back-room deal behind release of two Indonesians'

'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.