Government should do more to help Agus: Legislators

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.