Rafiqa Qurrata A., Jakarta – The deputy chairperson of the House of Representatives Commission III on law and human rights, Soeripto says the plan to assassinate Munir was put together during a National Intelligence Agency (BIN) meeting in 2004. At the time, Munir was included in the category ‘G” list or a ‘problem’.

“What I heard was that according the evaluation at the time, Munir was included in the category of a ‘problem’ but not yet a ‘threat’”, said Soeripto during a discussion with Detik.com on Saturday June 21.

Soeripto explained that there were four categories used as a reference in intelligence operations to cope with threats against the state. The terms were ATHG – threat (ancaman), challenge (tantangan), hindrance (hambatan) and problem (gangguan).

Those categorised as a ‘threat’ were for example people who were suspected of planning a coup d’etat or rebellion.

“If they were still at the problem level, they were not considered a serious [threat] and did not have to be eliminated. At most just a warning”, added the intelligence observer who is also a politician from the Justice and Prosperity Party.

Soeripto added that BIN is an intelligence institution whose user is the president, meaning BIN operations must be reported to the president.

“Because the user is the president, the intelligence product should, according to regulations, be reported to the president. The question is then, did BIN report this matter (the plan to murder Munir) to the president, who at the time was Megawati [Sukarnoputri]”, he said. (fiq/ana)

[Translated by James Balowski.]