House supports investigation into Munir's death

M. Taufiqurrahman and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Amid calls for a speedy investigation into the death of rights campaigner Munir, the House of Representatives has agreed to support the establishment of a special investigative team.

The House agreed during a plenary meeting on Tuesday to press the government to establish an independent team, under the President's supervision, to assist an investigative team formed by the National Police and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The House also called on the government to hand over a copy of Munir's autopsy report to his family.

"The House will also set up a team comprising members from Commission I and III to help resolve the case," the chairman of House Commission III on law, human rights and security, Agustin Teras Narang, said to a chorus of applause from House members.

During a meeting between the two commissions later in the day it was decided that the special team would consists of 15 members representing every major faction in the House.

The House's support for a full-fledged investigation into Munir's death came only a day after human rights activists and Munir's widow Suciwati met with Commission III to demand a thorough investigation of Munir's death.

Munir died of arsenic poisoning aboard a Garuda Indonesia flight a few hours before landing at Schiphol airport in Amsterdam on Sept. 7. He was 39.

The House's swift endorsement of the establishment of the team was something of a surprise given that Commission III appeared reluctant to back such a team during a meeting with the activists.

Commission III members Lukman Hakim Saefuddin of the United Development Party (PPP) and Nursjahbani Katjasungkana of the National Awakening Party (PKB) worried before the plenary meeting on Tuesday there was little chance Munir's case would be raised during the session because House leaders needed more information about the issue.

"If the plenary meeting is silent on Munir's cause, I will raise the issue myself," Lukman said.

Teras read out the results of Monday's meeting between Commission III and the rights activists after interruptions by Ahmad Saputra of the National Mandate Party (PAN) and Lukman.

Amid the intense pressure to solve Munir's death, his widow and colleagues have been exposed to bullying and threats.

In the latest incident, the office of human rights watchdog Imparsial in Menteng, Central Jakarta, received a threat similar to one received by Munir's widow.

A box containing a severed chicken head with a note reading "Do not connect the TNI to Munir's death. Do you want to end up like this" was received by an employee of the rights group on Tuesday morning.

Imparsial director Rachland Nashidik said that since the threats mentioned the Indonesian Military, the TNI had to speak out on the issue.

"If they are not involved, then say so publicly. The TNI chief also must give the police team investigating the case all the access it requires," Rachland said.

Commenting on Imparsial's demands, TNI chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said "it is common for the military to become a scapegoat in any sort of threats".

The TNI chief, however, pledged that the military would provide any information to the police, stressing that the military was not involved in Munir's death.