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)