Police vow to investigate anyone plotting against Gus Dur

JAKARTA (JP): National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro said on Friday police would not hesitate to question anyone, no matter their rank or position, if there was evidence they were plotting against President Abdurrahman Wahid.

He was referring specifically to Maj. Gen. Muchdi Purwopranjono, the former chief of the Army's Special Force, and Ministry of Forestry secretary-general Soeripto. He also said this held true for former Army Strategic Reserves Command chief Lt. Gen. (ret) Prabowo Subianto, who is also the son-in-law of former president Soeharto.

"If there is clear evidence ... a crime has been committed, the police will take proactive actions. We will not hesitate to make any arrests in such matters," Bimantoro said on Friday after meeting with Soeripto.

"If investigations prove these men were plotting a coup, we will take action. If there is no proof, the investigations will be stopped. We do not base our investigations only on what sources or witnesses tell us."

Bimantoro added that he had met with his "friend Muchdi" on Thursday, and that Muchdi had told him his relationship with Soeripto was purely business.

"My friend Muchdi met with me on Thursday and explained to me that Soeripto and him only dealt in business ... there are no plans for a rebellion," he said.

One of the victims in the dispute between the President and Soeripto was Nurmahmudi Ismail, who was dismissed as minister of forestry on March 16. He was replaced by Marzuki Usman for refusing a presidential order to dismiss Soeripto, who was accused by Abdurrahman of plotting to oust him.

Abdurrahman told Nurmahmudi he has received reports that Soeripto had met with Muchdi at Kempinski Hotel in Central Jakarta to plot his downfall.

Soeripto earlier said he had met with Muchdi several times, but that the meetings with the two-star general were "only business talks regarding forest concessions".

Soeripto clarified his stance on the accusations made against him by the President during a formal meeting on Friday with Bimantoro and National Police chief of detectives Insp. Gen. Engkesman Rangkeong Hillep.

"I have come here to provide an explanation to the police, because only the police have the right to handle or say anything about these matters," he said before Friday's meeting with Engkesman, which lasted for an hour.

Soeripto's lawyer, Masiga Bugis, said on Friday that police would investigate whether Abdurrahman's accusations against Soeripto were factual.

Masiga said on Thursday the President had accused his client of meeting with Muchdi to discuss funding anti-Gus Dur demonstrations and working with the Indonesian Military to smuggle wood out of the country.

Soeripto also was accused by Abdurrahman of facilitating the escape of fugitive Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra -- the youngest son of former president Soeharto -- with a ministry helicopter.

Tommy has been on the run since last November, following a Supreme Court verdict in September sentencing him to 18 months in prison for corruption.

Masiga also said on Thursday his client had been linked by the President to violence in Sampit and Ambon.

"We demand Gus Dur provide solid proof that my client was involved in these things he has been accused of or publicly clear his name," Masiga said, referring to the President by his nickname.

Masiga also represents Elize Maria Tuwahatu, who was arrested in the possession of three bombs at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah in East Jakarta on Jan. 19. Elize made headlines when she told police the bombs were given to her by Tommy. (ylt)