NU enters fray in support of Permadi

NU enters fray in support of Permadi

JAKARTA (JP): Sympathy for Permadi Satrio Wiwoho is on the
rise from people who believe that he is innocent, despite the
authorities' announcement yesterday that the controversial
soothsayer could be charged with subversion.

The latest Moslem figure to join in the growing chorus calling
to have Permadi exonerated is Yusuf Hasyim, a senior leader of
the powerful organization Nahdlatul Ulama.

Yusuf went as far as stressing that Permadi had defended Islam
and not smeared the religion as his critics would have it,
according to the latest edition of the Tiras newsweekly.

National Police chief spokesman Brig. I.K. Ratta, however,
said that the investigation of Permadi might be expanded from
defamation and blasphemy to include subversion for his remarks
that officials believe could have undermined national stability.

Permadi has been under police investigation for the past month
following allegations that he called Prophet Muhammad a dictator
and a leader who failed to secure the welfare of his followers.

The soothsayer denied ever making the remarks and said that
his statement had been manipulated and taken out of context.
Following the allegations, there was a brief backlash against him
by Moslem groups calling for legal action.

But Yusuf told Tiras that he had heard the recording of the
academic seminar at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta last
year when the remarks were purportedly made.

"Putting it into the context at that time, I would say he was
responding to a question from a participant and, in that
response, he actually defended Muhammad," he was quoted as
saying.

Yusuf went as far as offering Permadi refuge at the Tebuireng
pesantren (traditional Islamic boarding school) in Central Java,
which he heads, if Permadi is fearing for his life.

The soothsayer turned himself in to the police last month
seeking protection from the Moslem backlash.

Police investigations so far have been limited to allegations
of slanderous remarks about President Soeharto, the military, the
government and Golkar (the ruling organization), said Brig. Gen.
I.K. Ratta, the National Police spokesman.

The National Police's Deputy for Operation Maj. Gen. M.B.
Hutagalung said that their investigation is also looking into
Permadi's possible participation in "clandestine activities".

If there is evidence to support that claim, Permadi could face
more than criminal charges, Hutagalung told reporters.

The suggestion of clandestine activities came from Lt. Gen.
Soeyono, chief of general affairs of the Armed Forces, who said
that his methods were undermining national security.

Most of the accusations were based on cassette recordings of a
seminar held in Yogyakarta and a radio interview he gave early
this year for his annual prediction of this year's major events.
Tapes of the seminar and the radio interview have been
circulating in Central Java.

Seven witnesses have so far been questioned in connection with
his investigation. Six are members of the Yogyakarta police who
were on duty at the seminar and the seventh is human rights
activist and Chairman of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation
Adnan Buyung Nasution, who was also a speaker at the seminar.

Whatever the outcome of the investigation, according to Tiras
magazine, Permadi is planning to counter sue his critics for the
slanderous remarks made about him.

The soothsayer, his lawyers said, feels the allegations have
ruined his reputation.

Ramdlon Naning, one of his lawyers, said his client was
insulted in an "extremely tendentious manner" which clearly
violates the law.

"They are making all sorts of accusations against Permadi, but
they are doing it with the wrong ethics and procedures," he said.
(pwn)