German MPs concerned at Bintang case
German MPs concerned at Bintang case
JAKARTA (JP): The head of a visiting German parliamentary
delegation has expressed discontent with the legal action against
former legislator Sri Bintang Pamungkas for his remarks about
President Soeharto during his visit to Germany in April.
"We have conveyed our views on the matter. We actually deeply
regret that it could have happened," Karl-Heinz Hornheus told
journalists through his interpreter here Tuesday evening.
Hornheus is chairman of the German parliament's Committee on
Foreign Affairs, which left Indonesia yesterday after a four-day
visit here.
The seven-member delegation represented the major parties of
the German Parliament, namely Hornheus, Dietrich Mahlo from the
Christian Democratic Union, Norbert Gansel and Elke Leonhard from
the Social Democratic Party of Germany, Gerd Poppe from
Federation 90/The Greens, Albert Probst from the Christian Social
Union in Bavaria and Ulrich Irmer from the Free Democratic Party.
Despite the criticism, Hornheus acknowledged the willingness
and understanding of Indonesian authorities to discuss the
matter.
"We felt that there was an understanding with everyone we
discussed it with. They never refused to discuss the question of
Sri Bintang whether at a ministerial or parliamentary level. No
one was ever offended (when we brought up the matter)," Hornheus
explained.
Former legislator Sri Bintang Pamungkas of the Moslem-based
United Development Party is currently under police investigation
and could be charged for defaming President Soeharto for his
alleged involvement in a demonstration against the president
during a visit to Germany in April.
Bintang has since been recalled by his party and lost his seat
in the House of Representatives.
Hornheus did not elaborate further on his views of the
investigation of Bintang but hoped that the matter would be
concluded expediently and in the best possible manner.
During their brief stay here the delegation met with Minister
of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas, Minister of Trade Satrio Budiardjo
Joedono and Coordinating Minister for Industry and Trade
Hartarto.
Apart from several Indonesian legislators, the delegation also
had meetings with Bintang himself, editor of the banned Tempo
weekly Goenawan Mohamad, and human rights advocate Adnan Buyung
Nasution.
When asked about the Indonesian issue that most concerned
German people, Hornheus said it related to the excesses of
accelerated development, which often proves detrimental to the
lower classes.
"The existing gap between the rich and the poor should be
given careful attention because if it becomes too wide it could
cause an explosive situation," he said.
When asked if he agreed, Hornheus diplomatically replied
"Well, you should know better than a delegation who has only been
for two days."
The German parliamentarians left yesterday on the next leg of
their Asian tour to Singapore and Malaysia. (mds)