Yuliawati, Jakarta – The former chief of the National Intelligence Agency (BIN), A.M. Hendropriyono has lodged a complaint against the Fact Finding Team (TPF) in the Munir case with the People’s Representative Assembly (DPR). He is questioning the work of the TPF which was formed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

“We suggest that if this is the direction of the Fact Finding Team’s work it is unclear”, Hendropriyono told the press at the DPR building in Jakarta on Monday May 30. Hendropriyono admitted that he came on his on initiative and not at the invitation of the DPR.

Hendropriyono believes that the TPF has been ineffective in solving the Munir case. He said that in fact the team is only trying to sway public’s opinion. He is asking the DPR to form a team that is able to work more effectively and efficiently in accordance with the presidential decree which determined the TPF’s formation.

Hendropriyono’s lawyer, Syamsu Djalal, who was also present stated that what is being done by the TPF is an effort to politicise BIN’s role in the case. “This is truly confusing”, said the former commander of the national military police.

He said that this could create the perception that there is a particular group behind the TPF. “Perhaps there are particular parties who wish to sow discord in the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia with BIN being the target”, he said.

Earlier, Hendropriyono also lodged a complaint with the police against two members of the TPF, Rachlan Nasidik and Usman Hamid. The former Jakarta military commander believes the pair’s statements are “pushing a view which links him with Munir’s death”.

[Translated by James Balowski.]