Budi Waseso Chief, National Narcotics agency
Don't make Freddy a hero

THE National Narcotics Agency (BNN)together with the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Policereported Coordinator for Commission for Missing Persons and the Victims of Violence (Kontras) coordinator Haris Azhar to the police. Those three institutions objected to what Haris wrote about the personal testimony of Freddy Budiman. This death row inmate allegedly spoke about the suspected involvement of the police, the military and BNN officials in the illegal narcotics business. The strong reaction of those three institutions has drawn criticism from many circles. However, according to BNN chief Com. Gen. Budi Waseso, questioning and verification will be expedited to check if Freddy's 'admission' is true or not. "The President ordered us to quickly follow up on that information," Budi Waseso told Tempo reporter Linda Trianita at the BNN office last week.

Why did BNN rush to report Haris Azhar to the police?

Because this matter had already been published, the police have the authority to prove its truthfulness. To handle the case, the police must have the grounds to act. That police report will be the basis for summoning Haris. This does not mean that Haris can become a suspect. This is for the legal process. If there is no report, the police cannot summon him.

Three institutions agreed to file that police report?

No. We did not meet. I gave the order to make a report to the police for the purpose of expediting verification. The national police and the TNI also reported it due to an interest in verifying the matter. This happened concurrently, (although) it was reported that it was a joint decision. Accordingly, a two-star TNI general protected Freddy, that a certain police officer received Rp90 billion. BNN was also mentioned. We were surprised. This is dirty. We must clean it up.