Permadi engaged in clandestine activities: ABRI
Permadi engaged in clandestine activities: ABRI
JAKARTA (JP): The controversy surrounding the allegedly
blasphemous remarks of psychic Permadi Satrio Wiwoho continues to
grow, with the Armed Forces (ABRI) now accusing him of engaging
in clandestine activities.
Chief for ABRI general affairs Lt. Gen. Soeyono said yesterday
that ABRI considers Permadi as a dangerous clandestine activist
because he was using tactics that could endanger the stability
and security of the nation.
"Permadi used clandestine tactics," Soeyono said, adding that
the difference was that the soothsayer disguised his activities
under different cloaks.
"It's just that he was wearing clothing other than those of
the clandestine form, but the target was to undermine the
government," he said. "We see him as a clandestine activist".
Antara news agency reported him saying that clandestine
activists have clear target groups, which are ABRI, the
President, the ruling political grouping Golkar, and Islam.
This attack is the latest, by various parties, against
Permadi, who is now under police investigation for allegedly
making blasphemous remarks about Prophet Muhammad, and for
slander against Golkar and the government.
Soeyono was offended by Permadi, who reportedly said in a
radio interview last year that the public should not trust the
Central Java's Diponegoro regional military chief, a position
Soeyono was holding at the time.
In response, Maj. Gen. M.B. Hutagalung, deputy to national
police chief for operational affairs, told the press that the
police are currently seeking evidence for the alleged clandestine
activities. "If the accusation is proved, then this won't be a
case of ordinary crime," Hutagalung said. "We're still looking
for evidence, but for now our investigation is focused on the
slander part."
He acknowledged that the authorities are taking it slow in
their investigation of the case due to its "very sensitive
nature", which calls for even higher thoroughness and accuracy.
"What's definite is that Permadi can be charged with
unlicensed duplication of audio tapes," he said. "If this is the
case, we can submit the dossier on him within this week."
The police are still seeking more evidence for other charges,
including blasphemy, he said.
Investigation
A legal expert has called for comprehensive investigation on
the case, taking into full consideration other factors, such as
the context and condition during which Permadi purportedly made
the offensive remarks.
Dr. Muladi, rector of the Semarang-based Diponegoro
University, told The Jakarta Post that Permadi deserves due legal
procedures, and that he cannot be tried using only the audio
tapes as evidence.
"The causes, the context of the whole problems, have to be
tracked down and contained in the dossier," he said. "Otherwise,
there's a great possibility of a bias occurring."
Muladi said as long as there is strong evidence, the
soothsayer can be taken to court, but that "in history, there has
never been anybody brought to court for fortune telling".
However, he said Permadi could be tried if proof is found that
the public was indeed disturbed by the circulating audio tapes
containing Permadi's allegedly blasphemous remarks and his dire
prediction of Indonesia's political future.
Dr. Amien Rais, chairman of the Muhammadiyah modernist-Moslem
organization, said yesterday that the case "became big because
it's been politicized". "Psychologically, this case is 60 percent
finished, but because it's politicized, it's become even more
complicated."
Amien was one of the speakers in a seminar last year during
which Permadi was supposed to have made the offensive remarks.
The accusations against Permadi, from various parties, are
increasing because "certain groups are politicizing the case".
Permadi, while asserting that his remarks had been taken out
of context, has apologized to the public, especially the
Indonesian Moslems. He has also asked for President Soeharto's
pardon.
"The procedures left to be taken are only legal in nature, and
should not be spiced with politicking," Amien said. "This case
should be localized, we should not blow it out of proportion."
(swe/har/29)