Jakarta (AsiaNews) Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono does not exclude setting up an independent commission of inquiry into the death of Munir. He was speaking to the press to quash claims that he was opposed to an independent investigation into the death of the human rights activist.
"Let the police first to do their job," the President said, "as we discuss the rules and terms of an inquiry". The cabinet has in fact placed the Munir affair on its agenda and plans to select the members of the future commission.
This is happening in response to growing demands that the mystery of Munir's death be elucidated. What is known is that the human rights activists died on a flight to Amsterdam and that the autopsy found large amounts of arsenic in his body, a telltale sign of poisoning. Investigators will have to determine how Munir died and who wanted him dead.
President Susilo is also moving against corruption. He has declared war on 'corrupt officials' and is planning to issue a special presidential decree to fight corruption. He has also authorised the Attorney General Office and the National Anti-corruption Commission to reopen cases closed by the previous government and ordered an investigation into corruption charges levelled at six members of parliament: Adi Warsita Adinegoro, Zuber Nawawi, Thoyfur, Darmono Lawi, Faqih Chaeroni, and Ahmad Darowi. A few days ago, the President also suspended the governors of Aceh and West Sumatra because of corruption charges against them.
These steps are part of his nation-wide campaign to stamp our corruption. For this reason, President Susilo told provincial officials to report any allegations of corruption to the National Anti-corruption Commission.