Calls mount for fair treatment for Sofjan

JAKARTA (JP): Public figures called yesterday for the maintenance of the principle of presumption of innocence in the questioning of business tycoon Sofjan Wanandi for his alleged involvement in the bomb blast blamed on the outlawed People's Democratic Party (PRD) last month.

The chairman of Moslem organization Muhammadiyah, Amien Rais, said the security authorities should give Sofjan opportunities to defend himself.

"Let's wait and see whether the probe will find him (Sofjan) guilty," Amien said. He added that Sofjan's calm return should be seen as clear evidence that he has no link with PRD.

The Moslem leader said any efforts to entwine Sofjan with the tiny party would only harm the security authorities' credibility. PRD leaders are now serving up to 13 years imprisonment for subversion,

Sofjan, fresh from a 10-day trip to Australia, faces questioning today by the city police after his name was found written in documents at the scene of the bomb blast in a low-cost apartment in Central Jakarta. He has already been questioned by the Jakarta chapter of the agency for the coordination of support for national stability.

Police have arrested two alleged bombmakers, and are hunting another suspect.

City Police chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata said yesterday he expected Sofjan to comply with the second summons but would arrange another session should the tycoon fail to turn up.

The recent disappearance of the Gemala Group chairman has sparked a wave of rallies accusing him of fleeing the country.

Sofjan said on his arrival Sunday that he had been attending routine corporate meetings in Brisbane and Melbourne, and was ready for the questioning.

Amien said yesterday that he doubted the allegations that Sofjan was a PRD financier.

"The allegations have raised eyebrows of some friends of mine who wonder if it is a repeat of scenarios the security authorities used to plot in the past. It's possible, but only God knows," Amien said.

Responsible

Minister of Transmigration Siswono Yudohusodo shared Amien's view but urged the security authorities to complete their investigation of Sofjan.

"I won't give any comment on this. I trust the police and the city military command, so let's just wait," he told reporters during a break in a hearing at the House of Representatives yesterday.

Siswono said that Sofjan would not run away from his responsibilities if he was found guilty.

"As a friend who knows Sofjan personally, I think we should not be afraid that he will avoid the responsibilities," he said, referring to Sofjan's return from Australia.

Siswono, one of Sofjan's colleagues in the 1966 student movement that helped establish the New Order, reiterated his belief that Sofjan had no link with the banned party.

"Considering his nature and according to my intuition, it's difficult for me to understand that Sofjan Wanandi cooperates with PRD," he said.

Several ministers and other figures who joined the student movement in 1966, including Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja and Golkar deputy chairman Abdul Gafur, have also expressed their doubts about Sofjan's alleged involvement with PRD.

Separately, Minister of Justice Oetojo Oesman reiterated yesterday that Sofjan remained free to make overseas trips because no government agencies had so far requested a travel ban be slapped on him.

A travel ban is issued on request from either the Armed Forces commander, the attorney general, the minister of finance or the minister of justice.

But Oetojo said it would be better for the businessman not to leave the country until the authorities cleared him all links with PRD.

He said recent speculation over Sofjan's trip was sparked because he left the country before the security authorities announced the questioning of him had been completed.

"He went before the problem was clear, so there have been allegations that he fled the country. But they have proved to be wrong," Oetojo said. (09/byg/cst/amd)