Why Should SBY Get Busy Replying Nazaruddin's Letter?

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono decided to reply the letter sent to him by the suspect of of alleged bribery SEA Games 2011 athlete development house in Palembang, M Nazaruddin. According to Julian Aldrin Pasha, presidential spokesman, at the State Palace, Sunday, SBY accepted the letter on August 18, 2011, and decided to respond it.

The letter read by Denny Indrayana special presidential staff for legal affairs and distributed to journalists is as follows:

Jakarta, August 21, 2011

To Muhammad Nazaruddin

I read your letter on August 21. I heard about it before from media publications. I decided to reply it so Indonesian people know what the real problem is.

As to the legal process you are dealing with, let's obey laws applied in this country. In any case of law, involving everyone, I will never, ever and even may not get in the middle of the legal process that has to be independent and free from anyone's intervention.

The fundamental principle of non-intervention and the independent law enforcement are aligned and protected in 1945 Constitution and other related rules.

Therefore, I recommend that you be cooperative taking the whole legal processes against you. I believe the Eradication Corruption Commission in charge of dealing with the case will work professionally, independently and fairly.

Reveal all information you know to the commission so it will be valuable before law, transparent, and done. Mention whoever who is involved, regardless of any parties or political parties.

As the law must be upheld based on facts without considering whom we face. In that way, we uphold the fundamental principle of equality before the law that is also protected by law.

As to the security of your family, I instructed all law enforcement officers to work profesionally and guarantee the security of all of related parties, and not only you. It is their obligation to protect, serve, and secure all citizens.

However, it can not be taken as protection or immunity from legal process if a citizen deals with a legal process. We must guarantee that the law enforcement can be applied in a fair, transparent and accountable way - without any compromise or negotiation, in any form.

That is my response to your letter. Hopefully you can take this Ramadhan month as the time for evaluating and introspecting what you have had. Happy fasting, may Allah reward all of us with His blessings and guidance.

Indonesian President,

Dr. H. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono

According to Denny, the letter was sent directly to the former treasure of the ruling Democrat. Denny stressed that the president hoped Nazaruddin would tell the truth to law enforcement officers without trying to cover it up. (LIN)