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)