Transparent process

Transparent process

Abu Bakar Ba'asyir's case is very complicated. The clash
between his supporters and police officers when he was taken out
of the hospital in Surakarta and brought to Jakarta could be
cited as an example.

The legal proceedings involving the senior Muslim cleric must
be transparent, clear and conducted in a humane way.

Wisdom and awareness are needed to deal with the complex case
that may have political overtones.

Vice President Hamzah Haz and Coordinating Minister for
Political Affairs and Security Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono have said
that the principle of presumption of innocence (for Ba'asyir)
must be respected.

There is a possibility that certain parties will use
Ba'asyir's case as a means to destroy the nation. We must be
aware that many (political) parties have used the problem (the
arrest and legal proceedings against Ba'asyir) to gain momentum
to prepare their moves for the 2004 election.

The Oct. 12 Bali blast has obviously affected our relations
with other countries. Aid programs, cooperation and investment
deals have become very difficult to materialize after the
bombing.

Careless handling of Ba'asyir's case could worsen the
situation. We demand that law and justice must be upheld in this
case. The legal proceedings must not be conducted half way in
order to get a clear picture of what really happened.

-- Kompas, Jakarta