Bambang Yudhoyono on International Terrorists: Lee Kuan Yew Spoke Too Fast

TEMPO Interactive, Denpasar:Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew went too fast in concluding Indonesia was a haven for ringleaders of international terrorist networks. Lee Kuan Yew’s statement appeared in the Singapore Straits Times newspaper on Monday (18/2). “Intelligence agencies of Asean countries, including Singapore, continue to investigate this problem,” Yudhoyono said in Denpasar, Bali, on Tuesday (19/2). On terrorist networks in Indonesia, Yudhoyono said he heard from the Chief of National Intelligence (BIN) that Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia were cooperating in investigating this problem. “We are making efforts, not staying quiet. So, please don’t easily conclude that terrorist ringleaders are making Indonesia their safe haven,” he said. According to Bambang, Indonesia would maintain an open mind if terrorists are found in this country. “We are a part of the international community fighting terrorism and we want to nab them,” he said. Nevertheless, Yudhoyono said Minister of Foreign Affairs was still trying to clarify the statement said by former PM Lee Kuan Yew. “We do not have to respond to a comment by another country about our situation, particularly when we don’t even understand what exactly is behind that comment,” he said. “We need to clarify this, since cooperation on intelligence matters between Singapore and other Asean countries is going well. President Megawati and Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong have met several times to discuss this subject. If the Singaporean intelligence has proof and witnesses, we would be glad to cooperate with them,” he said. Yudhoyono said Indonesia would respond to the statement by former Premier Lee Kuan Yew once all was clarified. “We do not want to be emotional, but for the sake of Indonesia’s integrity, we will respond to it,” he said. (Rofiqi Hasan-Tempo News Room)