Indonesia: HT warns US against interfering in RI`s internal affairs

Antara News

- Tens of members of the Islamic organization Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) staged a rally outside the US embassy here on Saturday asking Washington not to meddle in Indonesia`s domestic affairs.

The demonstrators unfurled banners reading "HTI Rejects US Intervention in Papua" and "Prevent the Nation`s Disintegration".

In their orations, the HTI members demanded the US government stop interfering in Indonesia`s internal affairs.

The rally came after 40 US Congressmen had written to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono demanding the "immediate and unconditional" release of two sympathizers of the outlawed separatist OPM (Free Papua Organization), Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage.

Karma and Pakage were sentenced to 15 years and 10 years imprisonment respectively in May 2005 for hoisting the "Bintang Kejora" (Morning Star) flag of OPM in Abepura, Papua, on December 1, 2004.

"The letter is concrete evidence that the US not merely intevenes in Indonesia`s internal affairs but also supports OPM. The letter has no meaning except that the US really supports OPM and wants Papua to secede from Indonesia. They are trying to disintegrate us. We cannot let this happen," HTI Chief Farid Wajdi said.

Therefore, he said, the HTI would call on the president to turn down the US Congressmen`s request and continue to imprison the two OPM sympathizers.

"The government must reject any kind of intervention. Don`t pay attention to the US Congress` letter," Sodik Ramadhan, the rally`s coordinator, said.

He said HTI was also planning to meet with the defense, information and foreign affairs commission of the House of Representatives (DPR) to convey the organization`s call for the country to ignore the letter.

Foreign Minister Hasan Wirajuda said in Bengkulu province on Saturday he would soon reply to the US Congress` letter.

"We will reply to the letter as soon as possible. In essence, we wiil ask the US government to respect the legal decision in our country," he said after inaugurating two elementary school buildings here.