PDI leader rejects communist allegations

PDI leader rejects communist allegations

BANDUNG (JP): The chairman of the West Java chapter of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) has denied the military's accusation that he was a former communist supporter.

Djadjang Kurniadi has turned to the local office of the Legal Aid Institute for help to have his name re-established and possibly have those who publicly made the accusation charged for slander.

Djadjang said his reputation has been ruined by recent media reports alleging past communist links.

The reports were based on an announcement by the West Java Military Command which said it had carried out a check on Djadjang's background and found strong evidence of his participation in communist activities.

Djadjang said the West Java chapter of the Agency for National Stability and Security, an agent of the military, never questioned him or checked the allegation.

"I feel that I have been unfairly treated. I have never been contacted or questioned by the agency, but they suddenly accuse me of being involved with communists," he said.

Djadjang said the allegation that he had supported the coup attempt on Sept. 30, 1965 by the now outlawed Indonesian Communist Party was premature and one-sided.

He accused the agency of violating the principle of presumption of innocence by going public with the allegation.

He complained that the check should have been made before he became chairman of the chapter and not after.

Djadjang said he hoped to clear the matter through the legal aid agency.

LBH Bandung Director Melanie said she regretted the national security agency's unsupported allegation.

"The agency should have given Djadjang a chance to tell his side of the story to ensure a fair judgment," Melanie said, adding that the institute is prepared to help Djadjang.

Djadjang denied ever attending a meeting related to the pro- communist camp of the Indonesian Nationalist Party.

He also said that he was detained for by the local military for months, not days as the security agency would have people believe. (pet/pwn)