Questioning of Saefuddin delayed due to Cabinet meeting
Questioning of Saefuddin delayed due to Cabinet meeting
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Food and Horticulture A.M.
Saefuddin said on Wednesday said he was ready to be questioned by
the police on charges of inciting public hatred if President B.J.
Habibie had given his approval as required by law.
Saefuddin is to be questioned over remarks he made in October
which enraged Hindu and Balinese people.
The police say they have met all legal requirements to summon
the minister, including obtaining presidential permission.
The minister, however, has suggested the police focus their
attention on more urgent matters.
"I hope the questioning will not be counterproductive and will
not cause new tension among the people," Saefuddin said before
attending a Cabinet meeting on political and security affairs at
Bina Graha presidential office.
Saefuddin, who has named himself a presidential candidate,
said he would be backed up by a team of lawyers, including Eggi
Sudjana from a Muslim association of defense lawyers.
"A presidential candidate must be prepared for serious tests,"
the minister said, bursting into laughter.
Saefuddin, an executive of the United Development Party (PPP),
approached National Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi at the Cabinet
meeting.
However, after the meeting Saefuddin quickly went to his car,
without saying whether the President had approved his
questioning.
Saefuddin angered Hindu and Balinese people for saying he
doubted whether Megawati Soekarnoputri, the chairwoman of
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), was a
Muslim, because she often visited and prayed at Hindu temples in
Bali.
He later apologized, saying he had not intended to humiliate
anyone.
Saefuddin, a professor of agriculture, is known as a humorous
politician. He has often sparked controversy.
Also on Wednesday, the media waited in vain for the minister
to show up at the National Police Headquarters on Jl. Trunojoyo,
South Jakarta, following a police announcement that he would be
questioned.
At noon, a detective said Saefuddin had told police he could
not turn up because he had to attend a Cabinet meeting.
Police said they had already secured the required presidential
permit.
If found guilty, Saefuddin could face charges of violating
Article 156 of the Criminal Code. The charge carries a maximum
penalty of four years imprisonment.
"I don't know the exact date of his questioning, but he will
surely be summoned next week," police spokesman Lt. Col. Saleh
Saaf insisted. (prb/emf)