Harry seeks delay of questioning

Harry seeks delay of questioning

JAKARTA (JP): Musician Harry Roesli, whom the Jakarta Police
plans to summon for singing a satirized version of a patriotic
song, has sent a letter to the city police asking for a delay of
his questioning due to his poor health, an officer said on
Thursday.

"Pak Harry notified us in a letter that he has heard that we
intend to summon him but asked if we could delay it as he was not
well. He will come on his own to the Jakarta Police Headquarters
as soon as he has recovered," city police spokesman Sr. Comr.
Anton Bachrul Alam said.

The Bandung-based musician, Harry, 50, sang a satirized
version of Garuda Pancasila on Aug. 17 during an Independence Day
celebration at former president Abdurrahman Wahid's residence in
South Jakarta.

Police alleged that Harry violated Article 154 of the Criminal
Code by expressing hatred and hostility toward the Indonesian
government, a crime which carries a maximum penalty of seven
years imprisonment or a Rp 4,500 fine.

Meanwhile, in a related development, lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis
blasted the police's plan to summon Harry and said there were
more important cases to handle, such as those involving
corruption and murder.

Todung said the Jakarta Police was overreacting by planning to
question Harry and moreover Harry had publicly apologized to the
composer of the song and public.

"We should have a higher sense of humor in reacting to Harry
Roesli's criticism. It is far more important to investigate
corruption and killings," Todung was quoted by Antara as saying.

According to Todung, the satirized version of Garuda Pancasila
sung by Harry reflects the disappointment and dissatisfaction of
the people over the economic crisis and injustices they face.

"What was expressed by Harry Roesli is a reflection of the
people's feelings as the latter feels there is no justice and
that they are still suffering from the economic crisis. It so
happened that Harry Roesli voiced their feelings," Todung said.

He called on the government to keep the door to democracy
open, as initiated by Abdurrahman Wahid, and not deviate from
democratic principles.

"The President Megawati Soekarnoputri-Vice President Hamzah
Haz duo are not living in a world without critics, so they have
to adjust to the changes in the information world and not try to
stifle freedom (of expression)," Todung remarked.

Harry had earlier said that street singers often sang the
satirical version of the song in public buses and that he learned
it from them.(emf)