'Indonesia respects RP court verdict'

'Indonesia respects RP court verdict'

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Makassar

Demands for the government to use diplomatic channels to seek the
release of Agus Dwikarna, who was sentenced to 17 years in prison
by a Philippine court, are unrealistic and contradict
international codes, Minister for Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda
says.

"There are international codes that we have to respect,
including the laws of other countries. If we ask them to release
Agus, we are intervening in the legal process of a sovereign
country," Hassan was quoted by Antara as saying here on
Wednesday.

Citing Malaysia's nonintervention in the case of a Malaysian
national who was sentenced to death for his involvement in a
series of bombings in Jakarta, Hassan stressed that Indonesia
also should avoid interference in other country's legal affairs.

There has been increased pressure from some quarters for the
government to embark on high-level diplomatic talks to win the
freedom of Agus, who was sentenced in Manila for the illegal
possession of explosives.

A deputy speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly, A.M.
Fatwa, interrupted a consultation meeting on Tuesday between
President Megawati Soekarnoputri and leaders of the House of
Representatives to ask the President about what steps were being
taken to secure Agus' release.

In Makassar, South Sulawesi, dozens of students from the Gowa
Muslim Student Alliance (AMIG) staged a protest at the provincial
legislative building to demand the government intercede in Agus'
case.

AMIG coordinator Acha Wijaya said the government's failure to
help Agus would come back to haunt the country.

"It is possible that Agus' case will be exploited by other
countries as justification to arrest Indonesians abroad, because
the government does not care to defend its citizens," Acha told
The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

Hassan, however, denied allegations that the government has
done little to help Agus.

"I reject accusations that (the government) did not help in
Agus' defense. We provided him a translator and monitored his
health while the legal process was taking place," he said.

Meanwhile, the Committee for the Implementation of Sharia
(KSPI) said on Wednesday the government should defend Agus
because his case had political undertones.

"It would be better if the government spoke with (Philippine)
President Arroyo," KPSI secretary-general Azwar Hasan told the
Post Wednesday.

He also said his organization would try and enlist members of
Megawati's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan) to urge the President to secure Agus' release.

"By taking a persuasive approach with local officials from PDI
Perjuangan, I'm sure our concerns will be heard by Megawati," he
said.