Bintang to be charged with defamation

Bintang to be charged with defamation

JAKARTA (JP): Accusations against Goenawan Mohamad and Sri
Bintang Pamungkas of involvement in this month's demonstration
against President Soeharto in Germany are taking on a more
definite form, as are the sanctions they could face.

Bintang may be charged with defaming President Soeharto, while
Goenawan is accused of "funding" the demonstrations.

National Police Chief Gen. Banurusman Astrosemitro said
yesterday that Bintang, a member of the House of Representatives,
is likely to be charged with defaming President Soeharto.

"Police are preparing articles related to his defaming the
President...and causing a physical disturbance against the
President," Banurusman told reporters.

He noted several articles on defamation in the Criminal Code
with maximum jail terms ranging between five to seven years.

Chief of the Armed Forces' (ABRI) General Affairs Lt. Gen.
Soeyono believes that Goenawan, former chief editor of the banned
Tempo magazine, may have "funded the demonstration" against
Soeharto. "I'm not accusing (him), but it's possible."

It was also Soeyono who first mentioned the name of Yenni Rosa
Damayanti, a human rights activist, among those who took part in
the demonstration in Germany.

Yenni was released from prison in December after serving a 12-
month term for insulting President Soeharto.

"How could a person who just got out have money?" Soeyono
asked.

Bintang and Goenawan have both denied the accusations. Bintang
was in Germany at around the same time as Soeharto, but insists
that he was only there for a series of speaking engagements at
two universities.

Goenawan said he had already arrived in Singapore and was on
his way home from a visit to Germany when the demonstration
against President Soeharto occurred.

Yenni, 27, is still abroad but has reportedly called her
mother several times. Her mother, who refused to reveal her name
or Yenni's whereabouts, told The Jakarta Post yesterday that
Yenni is in good health.

Yenni's mother yesterday met with Luhut Pangaribuan, director
of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH), to ask for his advice.

Meanwhile, Attorney General spokesman Basrief Arief said the
authorities slapped a ban on Bintang Pamungkas, as requested by
police headquarters, prohibiting him from traveling overseas.

In Jakarta, reactions to the allegations against Goenawan,
Bintang and Yenni continue to intensify.

Chairman of ABRI faction Abu Hartono said the principle of
presumption of innocence must be upheld. He admitted, however,
his belief that police had strong reason to launch an
investigation of Bintang.

Bintang has been summoned by the police and will be questioned
today. Police said Soeharto has given the green light for them to
question the United Development Party (PPP) legislator.

"There must have been complete information for the President
to have given the go-ahead," Abu said.

Abu said he supported Soeharto's statement that those involved
in the demonstration must be treated seriously. "This concerns
the dignity of our nation, so they must be dealt with firmly."

A number of human rights organizations have called on the
authorities to uphold the principle of presumption of innocence
on the issue.

Saleh Abdullah of the Indonesian Front for the Defense of
Human Rights and Effendi Salman of the Nusantara Legal Aid
Institute called on the government to exercise self-restraint and
not issue statements which foster a negative opinion of the case.

Such statements constitute an "abuse of human rights" of the
suspects, they said in a joint statement.

Meanwhile, Bintang told a meeting with Gadjah Mada University
students that he was present during the Hannover demonstration.
"I was watching the demonstration," he said. "Merely as a free
show."

He also admitted he was taking pictures with a camera, which
belonged to a German reporter because he did not have his own
camera with him.

Bintang, however, denied the accusation that he was involved
in the demonstration and carried posters, as some officials have
charged. "Those are arbitrary accusations and slander," he said.
(swe/imn/r. fadjri)