House supports probe into disappearances

JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives urged the state security apparatus yesterday to "seriously investigate" the abduction of student and political activists.

The legislative body also said the investigators should be unpartisan in their inquiry.

"The security apparatus should seriously investigate the abductions of the student and political activists," House Speaker Harmoko said while addressing the plenary opening session of the House commissions' hearings.

"Such seriousness can be expected to restore the confidence of the people and the countries involved in helping Indonesia settle its economic crisis," he said.

He asked the security apparatus to conduct a thorough investigation into the case.

"Equal legal treatment against any legal violation is important because Indonesia is a state based on law," he said.

The Armed Forces (ABRI) headquarters has set up a team to investigate the cases of the missing persons and determine whether any members of the military were involved in the disappearances.

The team includes the chief of the military police, the assistant for security and social order and the Armed Forces assistant for intelligence.

ABRI Commander Gen. Wiranto has repeatedly insisted that there has never been any instruction or policy in the Armed Forces to abduct people.

Commenting on the Armed Forces' team of investigators, Harmoko suggested that they not work alone but cooperate with other institutions and the public.

"If anybody or any institution, including the House and the National Commission on Human Rights, have information on the abduction of the activists, they should report it to the team," he said.

The rights commission said Thursday that the abductions were carried out by an organized group and acknowledged that there was a growing opinion among the public that there was a possibility the state security apparatus was involved.

Nine of the 14 people who were reported missing have resurfaced in the last three weeks. Only one, Pius Lustrilanang, has gone public with an account of his experiences, including torture, at the hands of an unknown group.

A lawyer representing Pius, Hendardi, said yesterday that the team of investigators should immediately begin their duties as there is enough evidence to carry out an investigation into the case.

"Several of the abducted activists have testified before the rights commission and the Legal Aid Institute," he said, "The investigation should start immediately."

He said that the security apparatus should not be concerned about Pius' overseas travel as it was within his rights to go abroad.

"Pius has not been accused of any criminal charges," Hendardi said, "He is free to visit any places he wants to go."

"His overseas travel should not be used to switch the issue of abducted activists into a case of Pius' nationalism," he said.

Pius flew to the Netherlands last week, citing that his abductors had threatened to kill him if he spoke out about his abduction. (imn)