Government should do more to help Agus: Legislators
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
House of Representative members asked the government to step up diplomatic approaches with the Philippines to support Agus Dwikarna, who was last week sentenced to 10 to 17 years in prison for a series of bomb-related charges in Manila.
Claiming that it was the government's obligation to defend its citizens, legislators said on Sunday that at least Jakarta could have asked for a reduction of the punishment for Agus.
"We are not trying to interfere or erase the charges against Agus, but maybe we could increase our diplomatic efforts to shorten the sentence," Ferry Mursyidan Baldan of Golkar Party said.
He further said that the Philippines had done exactly the same thing for several of its citizens, so Indonesia could ask the Philippines for a "favor".
"I am disappointed that the Indonesian government seems so reluctant to undertake an all out effort for Agus. It is a matter of the country's credibility to defend its citizens," Ferry remarked.
Another legislator Teras Narang from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) said the government could have asked Manila to at least lower the sentence.
"It is the obligation of the government to protect its citizens. Not to interfere with the legal process, but we should step up diplomatic approaches," he said.
Teras said that the government actually had done enough, but maybe the effort could be stepped up as the sentence had been given for Agus.
Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Hassan Wirayuda repeatedly said that the government would not interfere with the ongoing legal process.
The stance remains, even with the pressure from several Muslim groups inside the country.
Agus was sentenced to a maximum of 17 years by the Manila district court for illegally possessing explosive materials, as he was trying to board a flight from Manila to Bangkok earlier this year.
He was arrested along with two other Indonesians, Abdul Jamal Balfas and Tamsil Linrung who were released a few months ago by the Philippine government following diplomatic efforts from the Indonesian government.
Agus was also accused of having links with the bombing incidents in Manila in December 2000 and Jakarta's Philippine embassy in the same year.
The Philippine intelligence also linked Agus to Majelis Mujahidin Indonesian led by Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, who is suspected by the international community as a leader of a terrorist group.
Abu Bakar Ba'asyir questioned on Sunday the reason behind government's reluctance to defend Agus saying that it might have been related with the foreign aid that the country needed because of the prolonged economic crisis.
"The government is afraid, and the reason must be the foreign aid. That's why they do not defend Agus," he said as quoted by Antara.
"If the government is willing to defend Agus, they could follow the path of the Philippine government that goes all the way to defend its citizens," he said.
The administration of President Megawati Soekarnoputri is battling its image as a safe haven for terrorists, but at the same time has to deal delicately with hardline groups in the country.