Megawati pressed to act in Agus case
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Makassar
Pressure is building for President Megawati Soekarnoputri to intervene in the case of Agus Dwikarna, an Indonesian national jailed in the Philippines for illegal possession of explosives.
Deputy speaker of the House of Representatives A.M. Fatwa said here on Monday that he would urge Megawati and foreign affairs Minister Hassan Wirayuda to take the necessary diplomatic steps to secure the release of Agus.
"Through the media we urge the minister for foreign affairs to talk to his Philippine counterpart. We will also ask the President to do the same," Fatwa was quoted by Antara as saying.
Fatwa said he, together with a number of legislators, would meet the Philippine charge d'affairs in Jakarta to ask for clarification about the verdict.
"We had planned to ask for clarification last week but we could only do it now as we had to wait for confirmation from the government," said Fatwa.
He said Agus' case was highly political, thus the need for diplomatic action.
Agus was sentenced to up to 17 years in prison last Friday by a Philippine court in Manila for illegal possession of explosives.
He was arrested in March at Manila airport along with compatriot Abdul Jamal Balfas and Tamsil Linrung while about to board a flight to Bangkok. Philippine Police found explosive devices in their luggage.
Agus had also been implicated in deadly bomb attacks in Manila in December 2001 and a bomb attack on the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta in the same year.
Agus' lawyers said on Friday they would appeal.
Minister Hassan Wirayuda said last Friday the government would ensure that Agus' rights were not violated, but stressed that it would not interfere in the judicial process.
In Makassar, South Sulawesi, where Agus hails from, a number of mass organizations, student groups and political parties rallied outside the governor's office and local legislative building to demand the central government provide protection for Agus and secure his release.
South Sulawesi legislative body received three groups representing the Student Executive Council (BEM) of Makassar State University (BEM UNM), South Sulawesi Youth for National Mandate Implementation (BM PAN) and the Preparation Committee for Islamic Sharia Implementation (KPPSI).
BEM UNM urged the Indonesian government to immediately provide protection for Agus whom they consider is being prosecuted in the Philippines.
BM PAN also expressed a similar view and urged the National Commission for Human Rights (Komnas HAM) to "fight" for Agus' release.
Members of KPPSI's South Sulawesi branch rallied outside the provincial legislative council demanding councillor chairman Amin Syam meet Governor H.Z.B. Palaguna to voice the people's rejection of the 20-year prison term for Agus.
Carrying banners reading: Agus is Entitled to Protection, Agus' Verdict Violates Human Rights," the protesters condemned the Philippine government for what they called injustice against Muslim activists.
They urged Governor Palaguna to fulfill his promise to meet Philippine government officials to free Agus from all charges.
The protesters also appealed to President Megawati to talk to her Philippine counterpart President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to free Agus from his prison term and fine.
According to them, the government had done nothing to secure Agus' release.