Sofjan back home

JAKARTA (JP): Businessman Sofjan Wanandi returned from an overseas business trip Saturday declaring his readiness to answer a police summons tomorrow in connection with an ongoing investigation into last month's bomb-making activities here.

Sofjan told The Jakarta Post by telephone yesterday that he flew back to Jakarta on a Singapore Airlines flight after attending routine corporate meetings in Brisbane and Melbourne, and another in Singapore.

"I would be ready to clarify everything for the police tomorrow."

Sofjan was questioned by the military last month in connection with bomb-making activities allegedly conducted by the outlawed Democratic People's Party (PRD). He has denied any link with PRD.

The chairman of the diverse Gemala Group was mentioned as a potential financier in one of the documents found in the Jakarta apartment where the homemade bomb exploded on Jan. 18.

Sofjan drew criticism from the military when he left for Australia more than one week ago.

"I am very disappointed that I was accused of fleeing the country," he said.

Yesterday, some 1,000 Jakarta Moslems gathered at Al Azhar Grand Mosque to hear their leaders' fiery speeches against groups they called "traitors of the nation."

In the monthly gathering organized by the Indonesian Committee for World Moslems Solidarity (KISDI), ulema condemned certain groups in society who have helped bring about the economic crisis.

KISDI executive A. Sumargono said the group called on the authorities to investigate Sofjan thoroughly. (byg/aan/swe)