Zacky could become a suspect in July 1996 attack: Djasri
Zacky could become a suspect in July 1996 attack: Djasri
BANDUNG (JP): The status of former Maj. Gen. Zacky Anwar
Makarim, former chief of the Indonesian Armed Forces' (ABRI)
Intelligence Body (BIA) at the time of the violent July 1996
attack on the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) headquarters in
Central Jakarta could be shifted from a witness to a suspect, a
senior military police officer said on Tuesday.
"In the (current) initial inquiry, we questioned him as a
witness. But we will continue our investigation to determine
whether or not he will be among the suspects," National Military
Police Commander Maj. Gen. Djasri Marin told reporters after the
handover ceremony of commander of the Siliwangi Command's
Military Police from Col. Wasito to Col. Darmadi.
Djasri insisted that his office would remain independent and
clean from any external intervention, including from the military
or the government.
"Neither the National Police chief, Army Chief of Staff nor
TNI (Indonesian Military) commander has conveyed (special)
messages to us (to let free the military officials accused in the
attack), so far," he said.
On Monday, a joint police-military team at Djasri's office
began the initial questioning of high ranking military and police
officers, including Zacky, about their knowledge of the attack.
Besides Zacky, the team also questioned Brig. Gen. Basir
Badrawi, former chief of adjutants under then National Police
chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo.
Zacky and Basir were named as witnesses of the attack.
Basir Badrawi, questioned separately, insisted that he had no
idea about any meetings held by his boss, Dibyo, to plan the
attack.
"Formally, I did not know that there was a meeting discussing
the attack. I only knew of the incident from the media," said
Basir, who is currently Jakarta Police deputy chief.
The team, established in June, is scheduled to question other
high ranking generals, including Dibyo, Gen. (ret) Feisal
Tanjung, former chief of ABRI, and Lt. Gen. (ret) Sutiyoso,
former chief of the City Military Command and currently Governor
of Jakarta.
Separately on Monday, Soerjadi, former chairman of PDI, who
has been named as suspect in the case said after questioning that
"the attack was committed by police Mobile Brigade members and
military personnel from Jaya Sakti Battalion of the Jakarta
Military Command led by Col. Tritamtomo."
A group of supporters of the Soerjadi-led PDI splinter
faction, backed by elements of ABRI, raided and took over the
party headquarters from loyalists of ousted PDI leader Megawati
Soekarnoputri.
The take over triggered unrest throughout the city, claimed at
least five lives and 23 people are still missing. (25/bsr/asa)