PDI security guards queried as witnesses

PDI security guards queried as witnesses

JAKARTA (JP): City police summoned six security guards of the
Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) camp loyal to Megawati
Soekarnoputri yesterday in their capacity as witnesses to the
bloody attack on the party's headquarters on July 27, 1996.

Trakelin Brahmana, lawyer for the men, identified them as
Bambang Setiabudi, Soni Chandra, Thomas Resmon, Didik Budiharto,
Naman bin M. Nur and Anton Sogo Hayono.

Speaking after the 3.5-hour cross-examination yesterday,
Trakelin said police decided to first question Bambang, Naman and
Anton, with the other three scheduled for questioning today.

"During the questioning, police gave 13 questions to each
witness to verify the acts of arson, destruction, assault and
abuse against Megawati supporters at PDI headquarters on Jl.
Diponegoro 58, Central Jakarta.

"Police also asked about the chronology of the takeover and
the whereabouts of the security guards when the incident
happened."

The six were among PDI's 124 security guards who were arrested
in the July 27 incident.

All 124 were sentenced to four months' imprisonment for
ignoring police orders and refusing to disperse under Article 218
of the Criminal Code.

"It is possible that police will summon the whole group to be
questioned as witnesses in the incident," Trakelin added.

The guards testified yesterday that they saw Butu Hutapea, the
secretary-general of the PDI faction affiliated with government-
endorsed Soerjadi, inciting and leading the mob in the attack.

Jakarta Police Chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman vowed
yesterday to continue the investigation into the July 27
incident.

"Please wait for further results of our examination. We are
now gathering facts and trying to reveal the truth.

"But please do not ask me about what happened two years ago. I
was not the chief back then," he said. (edt)