Arifin Panigoro has had several close shaves since he got involved in politics. In 1998 police nearly arrested him. The accusation was a serious one—treason. Suharto was still president, tottering towards the ignominious end of his 32-year rule. What had Arifin done? He had met the then leader of the Islamic movement Muhammadiyah, Amien Rais.

The location was the Center of Investigation of the Study of Policy & Regional Affairs a