Interrogation on Bintang suspended

Interrogation on Bintang suspended

JAKARTA (JP): The police have adjourned indefinitely their
questioning of outspoken legislator Sri Bintang Pamungkas over
his alleged role in recent anti-Indonesian government
demonstrations in Germany.

Police investigators are now reviewing the legal procedural
requirements which they must meet in order to resume their
interrogation of Bintang.

"Today is the last day of the police investigation of me,"
Bintang, beaming with joy, told reporters as he emerged from
National Police headquarters yesterday.

"The police investigators agreed to grant my request that they
account for their procedures," said the legislator from the
United Development Party, who had been interrogated by police for
three consecutive days.

The legislator has been named by the military as one of five
Indonesians suspected of taking part in, or mobilizing, a series
of protests against the Indonesian government in Germany during
President Soeharto's recent visit there.

Two other Indonesian citizens suspected of taking part in the
demonstrations are senior journalist Goenawan Mohamad and
prominent human rights activist Yeni Rosa Damayanti.

All three have denied any part in the demonstrations. So far
police have questioned only Bintang.

Bintang said that he had found out, by accident, that the
police report used as the legal basis for summoning him had been
prepared by a person who was not physically present at the
demonstrations.

"Capt. Mugiarto, who prepared the police report, was not
present when the demonstration occurred," he said.

"We doubt the validity of the police report," added Luhut
Pangaribuan, one of Bintang's lawyers from the Indonesian Legal
Aid Institute.

Bintang said he had also queried the police's authority to
summon him because, as a member of the House of Representatives,
he cannot be interrogated without written approval from the
President.

He said that the letter authorizing his being summoned to the
police headquarters was signed by Minister/State Secretary
Moerdiono rather than by President Soeharto.

"According to Law No. 13/1970, concerning police
investigations of legislators, only the President has the
authority to sign such a letter," Luhut said.

Bintang said he had asked the police investigators why he had
been barred from going abroad, even though he had yet to be
formally charged.

Bintang said that as of yesterday, the national police
headquarters would be providing him with protection, following
attacks on his home and car in the early hours of Tuesday
morning.

"Four police officers will provide me with 24-hour
protection," he said.

Spokesman for the national police headquarters, Brig. Gen. I
Ketut Ratta, promised that the police would investigate the
attack.

Separately, Chairman of the Supreme Advisory Council Sudomo
said yesterday that he supported the government's move to
investigate the demonstrations.

"The demonstrations, defaming the President and the
government, were against the law," he said after a meeting with
Vice President Try Sutrisno. (imn)