Calls mount for fair treatment for Sofjan

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)