Minister to discuss Bestari case

JAKARTA: State Minister of the Environment Nabiel Makarim said on Tuesday he would discuss the arrest of environmentalist Bestari Raden and his possible transfer to Banda Aceh or Jakarta, with National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar soon.

Bestari's lawyer, Kurniawan Adinugroho, said his client had refused to be questioned at the Southeast Aceh police precinct due to "his personal conflict with the police chief in the past."

Nabiel questioned the arrest of Bestari over his alleged involvement with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

"It doesn't quite make sense that he dared to visit Aceh while he was on the police's most-wanted list there," Nabiel said.

Bestari was arrested on March 23 while visiting the war-torn province as a member of a government team assigned to evaluate the feasibility of the controversial Ladia Galaska highway project. Nabiel's office was among the government institutions that assigned Bestari to Aceh. -- JP