Budiman claims explosions at parents' home preplanned

BOGOR (JP): Democratic People's Party (PRD) chairman Budiman Sudjatmiko alleged on Friday that the recent explosions at his parents' home in the Sukaresmi subdistrict of Tanah Sareal was a premeditated act of terror.

"Two weeks ago, I received a telephone call at the PRD office in Tebet, South Jakarta, from an anticommunist group, stating that they would finish off me and my family," Budiman said on Friday.

"I have no idea if the telephone call was related to the blasts."

Budiman said that the telephone caller refused to identify which anticommunist group he belonged to, and warned him not mobilize people against the New Order regime.

"He called me a communist who was against the New Order regime," Budiman told reporters.

Two small explosions rocked the home of Budiman's parents on Wednesday and Thursday, leading people to speculate that the blasts were related to Budiman's political activities, which are critical of the former ruling Golkar Party.

The second blast on Thursday, smaller than the first blast on Wednesday, left a hole as big as a man's fist in the ground.

Bogor Police deputy chief Comr. Damisnur described the explosion on Thursday as a small explosion from a firecracker.

Budiman described the explosions at his parents' home as an act of terror against his activities.

When asked to comment on city police chief Insp. Gen. Sofjan Yacob's statement, that Budiman intended to incite the masses, Budiman said he would demand an explanation from Sofjan.

"I am going to demand that he explain that lie. He made the statement without any proof or evidence. How could he make such an unprofessional statement?" (21/ylt)