Hamzah denies protecting terrorists

Hamzah denies protecting terrorists

MANADO, North Sulawesi: Vice President Hamzah Haz denied on
Friday allegations that he protected terrorists, saying all he
did was protect innocent people.

"If those people are suspected of breaking the law, then there
is no other alternative but to take them to court and put them
through the legal process.

"It's impossible for any government official in Indonesia to
protect terrorists," he said.

Hamzah has been accused of protecting some religious leaders
suspected of being involved in terrorist activities.

The Vice President emphasized that it was the nation's duty to
crack down on terrorism if there were indications of terrorist
networks in the country.

Hamzah said terrorist networks would disturb all aspects of
Indonesia's national development. --Antara