VP Hamzah lashes out at his critics
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Vice President Hamzah Haz lashed out at his critics on Friday, calling un-Islamic those who disapproved of his visit to detained Laskar Jihad commander Ja'far Umar Thalib.
"If one is a Muslim, one would not criticize me over the visit because, according to Islam, if bad times befall a man, then we as Muslims are obliged to help him," Hamzah told reporters after Friday prayers.
He also brushed aside suggestions that his visit to Ja'far had hurt his relationship with President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who has been accused by some Muslim leaders of engineering Ja'far's arrest.
Hamzah, who is also chairman of the Muslim-based United Development Party (PPP), has come under strong criticism over his decision to visit Ja'far at the Jakarta Police Headquarters on Tuesday.
People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais accused Hamzah of intervening in the investigation process, while some political analysts suggested that Hamzah was trying to win the support of Muslims in the lead up to the 2004 general election.
Ja'far was arrested at Surabaya's Juanda Airport last Saturday on charges of provoking violence in troubled province Ambon.
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Friday that the government fully supported any legal process against Ja'far and chairman of the proindependence Maluku Sovereignty Forum (FKM) Alex Munuputty.
"We (the government) will not interfere in the police investigation of Ja'far, nor that of Alex. Should they be released by the police, it must be based on the law," Susilo said.
He underlined that the arrest of Ja'far and Alex was necessary as part of efforts to eliminate violence in the region following the signing of the Malino II peace accord in February.
"We consider the groups to be part of the problem as they conduct a kind of provocation that recreates new violence and conflict there. I know there have been various reactions to the arrest as some tried to express their solidarity.
"I hope the about 210 million people of Indonesia will understand that the arrests are merely part of the legal process. There are no political deals behind it," Susilo said.
Meanwhile, PPP Jakarta chief Azwar Abbas submitted a written request to the Jakarta Police Headquarters on Friday seeking Ja'far's release.
On Friday, Ja'far, who is still wearing his white tunic and white turban, received at least 100 Laskar Jihad members on Friday. He hugged each of his supporters as they arrived to greet him.
Other visitors on Friday included House of Representatives (DPR) deputy speaker A.M. Fatwa, who stated that Ja'far should be released from police detention and that he was ready to become a guarantor for Ja'far.