Jakarta – The former director of the National Intelligence Agency (BIN), AM Hendropriyono, says there is no requirement for him to fulfill the summons from the Fact Finding Team (TPF) investigating the murder of human rights activist Munir. According to Hendropriyono, with regard to the TPF’s summons it is acting unfairly towards him as an ordinary member of the public.

Hendropriyono conveyed this statement along with his legal attorney Syamsu Djalal at his offices on Wednesday June 15. “Right or wrong, I should provide [any] information [I have]. But, why is it me that has to go to them. As an ordinary person I also have a schedule. I have a wife and child, I have to feed them. I also have social responsibilities. So, if on some date [I am] summoned all of a sudden, I can’t [fulfil it]”, he said to dozens of journalists who were invited to yesterday’s press conference.

Hendropriyono had in fact planned to use the occasion to meet with the TPF who he invited to his offices to give them the information they are seeking. After waiting for an hour-and-a-half however, the TPF did not arrive so Hendropriyono used the occasion to explain to journalists about his unwillingness to fulfil the TPF’s summons.

“What with the TPF failing to attend this meeting, I’m actually [becoming] suspicious of them. Do they really want to solve the case of Munir’s death or are [they] just seeking popularity. In fact there is no difference between me going to there or them coming here”, he said. Hendropriyono added that the door to his office and his home is open 24 hours a day.

According to Hendropriyono, he will fulfill the TPF’s summons if the time is appropriate and it does not violate his basic rights. “Let’s agree on a time. Don’t keep summoning me whenever you like”, he said.

Hendropriyono explained that although he was summoned in accordance with the protocol agreed to by BIN and the TPF, this does not mean that he must turn up. What’s more, he must first comply with BIN’s protocols and discuss what can and cannot be said in response the TPF’s questions. Notwithstanding, he will respond immediately if summoned by the police. His refusal to respond to the TPF’s summonses was because he believes that it is politically motivated.

BIN’s involvement

Hendropriyono also took the occasion to reveal that he doesn’t know whether or not BIN is involved in Munir’s murder. “Within Indonesian intelligence, a system of compartmentalisation is in place. This means, what is being done by one member of BIN isn’t known by another member of BIN. As the director of BIN, I wasn’t allowed to know too much. As members of BIN they only know about what they are working on”, said Hendropriyono.

Hendropriyono believes that Munir’s death is just an ordinary case. Because of this therefore, he didn’t give it any special attention. Furthermore, he heard that Munir died because he was sick. “I heard it said that he died because [he was] sick. I was also profoundly sorry. [But] I didn’t have any interest in it. I thought it was an ordinary case. I didn’t suspect [it would go] this far. If there’s a murder, leave it to police to investigate”, he said.

He also explicitly stated that he was not aquatinted with Pollycarpus1 nor was Pollycarpus acquainted with him. When queried about the evidence that Pollycarpus telephoned a member of BIN around the time of Munir’s death, he responded diplomatically saying that they should refer the question to the police.

Social affairs observer Professor Dr. Matondang from the Jakarta State University meanwhile believes that the war of words which has broken out in the Hendropriyono case has given a poor lesson and a bad example to the public. “Once again, ordinary people are [having to] accept shabby behaviour from a public official who gives statements which are bias and only based on suspicions without having clear evidence”, Matondang said in Jakarta on Wednesday. (emy/edl)

Notes:

1. Garuda Airlines pilot Pollycarpus Budihari Priyanto, the prime suspect in Munir’s murder aboard a Garuda flight to Amsterdam on September 7, 2003. Priyanto has claimed repeatedly that he was recruited by BIN in 2002.

[Translated by James Balowski.]