Waiting for an explanation

Waiting for an explanation

From the beginning, the arrest of three Indonesians at the
Benigno Aquino International Airport in Manila, the Philippines,
raised questions.

The climax was when the former chief of the Indonesian State
Intelligence Coordination Agency, retired Lt. Gen. ZA Maulani,
provided an explanation to the press.

He said the arrest of the three Indonesians had been made by
the Philippine police at the request of the Indonesian police. He
added that if was not uncommon for arrests to be made at the
request of foreign intelligence agencies.

Several parties had earlier voiced suspicion of a link between
Jakarta and the arrest of the three Indonesians in the
Philippine.

The response to these earlier suspicions was one of doubt and
questioning. But the issue is different now that such a link has
been confirmed by an official.

With a statement from a former intelligence chief, it is clear
that the issue cannot be left in limbo, as it has been since the
arrests were made. Not providing a clear explanation of the
arrests will increase the social, security and political
complexities and difficulties in Indonesia.

The best thing that can be done is to offer the people an
explanation. And it is the government that must offer this
explanation.

Without such an authoritative and credible explanation, the
arrest of the three Indonesians will continue to be a source of
tension.

-- Kompas, Jakarta