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)