Faisal Basri grilled over Habibie remarks

Faisal Basri grilled over Habibie remarks

JAKARTA (JP): Economist Faisal Basri, who is secretary-general
of the National Mandate Party (PAN), was grilled by police
detectives on Thursday over alleged derogatory remarks made about
President B.J. Habibie.

After being questioned for four hours at National Police
Headquarters, Faisal acknowledged having made the remarks
published by Rakyat Merdeka daily in its May 12 edition. However,
he said he had no intention of insulting the country's leader.

The noted economist from the University of Indonesia said he
was telephoned by a reporter of the daily, who asked him to
assess the country's presidential candidates.

In the article, Faisal said the country would be at the
threshold of devastation if Habibie remained President.

"He (Habibie) is the continuation of the New Order regime and
if he is in power again, so farewell to reform. It's possible
that our fate will be more ridiculous than under Soeharto,"
Faisal told the daily.

A police initiative led to Faisal's questioning. So far,
Habibie has not yet complained over the remarks. (emf)