TEMPO.CO, Sleman - National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) was unable to visit the headquarters of Kandang menjangan Special Forces Command (Kopassus) in Surakarta. Komnas HAM Chair Siti Noor Laila said they have not received permission from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Army Headquarters.
"It's a matter of bureaucracy, Komnas' team is not allowed to have an investigation at Kandang Menjangan, Kopassus' headquarter," Siti said when met at the Yogyakarta Police headquarters.
Komnas HAM's visit to Kandang Menjangan is to find whether there are any connections between the death of Kopassus member First Sgt Santoso with the Cebongan Penitentiary attack.
Four inmates in Cebongan--the suspects of Sgt Santoso's assault, were shot dead during the attack. The inmate's names were Hendrik Angel Sahetapy, Adrianus Candra Galaja, Yohanis Juan Manbait, and Gameliel Yermiyanto Rohi Riwu.
Siti said that the Commission had actually written a letter to the Kopassus. But the latter insisted that Komnas HAM's must first receive a permit from TNI's Army Headquarters.
Siti said Komnas will visit the Army headquarter and request for a meeting. In the meeting, Komnas HAM will request the presence of Kandang Menjangan Kopassus.
"A letter to the Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Pramono Edhie Wibowo will be sent immediately," he said.
TNI's spokesman Rear Adm. Iskandar Sitompul said that any party wishing to have a meeting with a TNI unit will need permission from the Headquarters.
TNI Commander Admiral Agus Suhartono said the TNI is waiting as the investigation is the absolute authority of the police. If investigation results lead to members of the TNI, Agus asserted that TNI will conduct further investigations. "If there is a connection with members of the TNI, I will send down a team," he said.
MUH SYAIFULLAH | SATWIKA MOVEMENTI | FRANSISCO ROSARIANS | SUKMA