Police postpone Anton questioning

JAKARTA (JP): The police interrogation of Anton Medan, alias M. Ramdhan Effendy, for his alleged role as an agent provocateur in the mid-May riots has been postponed until further notice.

"Well, the police said I may go now. The investigation of me has been postponed. No timeframe was given," Anton, an ex-convict turned Moslem preacher, told reporters after being interrogated for 3.5 hours at the Jakarta Police Headquarters on Monday.

The police interrogation team was led by Capt. Arismunandar. He was accompanied by Chief Sgt. Tobing, Chief Sgt. Sutarlan and First Lt. Haryono.

None of the officers, however, were willing to comment.

But Badaruzzaman, one of Anton's 20 lawyers from the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation, said it appeared the police interrogators had run out of questions.

"Up to this point the police have not yet revealed any solid evidence or proof of his alleged involvement in provoking the masses on May 14," Badaruzzaman said.

However, the police could summon Anton again if it was deemed necessary, he added.

Anton explained: "I'm very concerned by the accusations (of his involvement in the mid-May riots).

"The police summoned me as a suspect, but they did not clarify any evidence which pointed to me being a suspect," the preacher said.

"I want the police to explain about my situation and my status ... I felt awful. People are judging me," Anton told the journalists.

Since he was named as a suspect in the mid-May riot several weeks ago, Anton said many of his colleagues and followers have abandoned him.

"I'm a preacher. I deliver lectures every night. People have started to doubt me and asked about my involvement. Several community groups have even canceled my lecture programs." (edt)