Bintang investigation gets down to details

JAKARTA (JP): The police investigation of controversial politician Sri Bintang Pamungkas yesterday finally moved into specifics, with questions over remarks he allegedly made to slander the government.

Bintang told reporters after a three-hour interrogation at the National Police Headquarters that the investigators read out excerpts of a speech he purportedly made at a speaking engagement in Berlin in March and April.

"They said that I called former president Sukarno and current President Soeharto dictators in my speech at the Technische Universitat in Berlin," he said.

"They also said that I accused the two (presidents) of violating the 1945 Constitution during the same speech."

Police also wanted to know whether he also made suggestions about the excessive role of the administration in the speech, he said.

Bintang said he did not respond to any of the accusations, insisting that the investigators produce the recording of the incident instead of throwing accusations based on excerpts of the transcript.

"I will only comment if given the opportunity to hear the tape recording," he said.

Yesterday was the fifth time that Bintang turned up at the National Police headquarters to answer the charges. Initially, he was accused of taking part in an anti-government demonstration during President Soeharto's visit to Germany. But the investigation has lately shifted into accusations that he made slanderous remarks against the government and President Soeharto during a number of speaking engagements in Germany.

Bintang, who has denied all of the accusations, yesterday was accompanied by a team of powerful lawyers: Harjono Tjitrosoebono, Adnan Buyung Nasution, Soekardjo Adidjojo, and Mohammad Assegaf. A fifth lawyer, R. Dwiyanto Prihartono, of the Jakarta Office of the Legal Aid Institute, was also present.

The police investigators were Lt. Col. Kamaluddin Lubis, Lt. Col. Eddy Juanda, Capt. Tugino, and Capt. Nyoman. Neither of them were willing to talk to reporters after the session was over.

"No, comment. No, comment." Capt. Tugino said when he was approached by reporters.

Bintang yesterday insisted on seeing the letter by President Soeharto endorsing the police questioning, a standard procedure before any criminal investigation can be initiated against a member of the House of Representatives.

Technically, the question has become irrelevant since Bintang, previously a House member representing the United Development Party (PPP), was fired from the House last month.

Bintang lost his House seat after PPP leaders initiated the move, accusing him of departing from party lines.

He said yesterday, however, that as far as he was concerned, he was still a member of the House and called his expulsion illegal.

"Legally, I am still a member of the House," he said.

Bintang said the investigation was adjourned until Monday. (imn)