Verdict on Agus Dwikarna
Verdict on Agus Dwikarna
From Koran Tempo
The sentence of 10 years to 17 years' imprisonment passed by the Pasay City court on Agus Dwikarna for illegally carrying explosives has become a domestic controversy. Some of the country's Islamic groups have voiced the view that the verdict only serves America's war on terrorism.
Agus Dwikarna, commander of Laskar Jundullah in Makassar, is seen as a link in a terrorist network in Southeast Asia, based on the assumption that Jundullah is connected with Majelis Mujahiddin Indonesia under Abubakar Ba'asyir. America has asserted that Ba'asyir is part of the al-Qaeda network and a lackey of Osama bin Laden in the region.
So, it is only proper that the Philippines as an American ally joins the campaign to fight against terrorism. In fact, if the Pasay City court is really trapped by America's interests in combating radical Islamic groups, the Philippine court decision is flawed.
Conversely, if Judge Henrick Ginggoyon's decision is based on the inconsistency in Agus' testimony and that of other witnesses, it is difficult for Agus to deny the charge of illegal possession of explosives.
Agus was obviously inconsistent when he failed to explain to the court why his business partner from Bangkok with whom he was newly acquainted, Dr. Prashan, was willing to pay for Agus' trip to the Philippines, when the purpose of the trip was unclear. Agus' guilt was even more convincing as there were no competent testimonies of witnesses that the explosives had not come from the suitcase he carried.
Furthermore, the testimony of Agus' business partner in Gen. Santos was different from his own. The partner said the business discussed during Agus' visit involved coal. Meanwhile, Agus' own confession regarding his Southern Philippine trip referred to tuna investment.
So, if Ginggoyon's sentence was based on dubious statements of witnesses and inconsistencies in Agus' testimony, the judge's decision was accurate. The issue no longer concerns speculations on whether or not Agus is a terrorist or a member of the al-Qaeda network. Instead, the charge that Agus carried explosives illegally has been convincingly proven.
His conviction was merely due his failure to prove to the court that the explosives were not his, even though they were in his suitcase.
HASAN PATRIO
Cilegon, West Java