Makbul Padmanagara, Head of Crime Department of the Indonesian Police Corps, admitted recently to the inefficiency of investigating the case. Many evidences are yet to be recovered and a number of witnesses are still be convinced to testify.

"We face a number of difficulties in gathering evidence that can stand up in the court," National Police Chief General Sutanto added.

In view of coping with international pressure, the police department plans to form a new investigation team to be led by Vice Chair of the Crime Department, Matheus Salempang. Unlike the previous team, however, this one will involve human rights activists and other members of the civil society’s participation. Invited to be members are Usman Hamid from KontraS and Asmara Nababan from DEMOS. This team is set to call upon old and new witnesses recommended by the Jakarta district court.

Soon to be summoned as well are Head Deputy of State Intellegence Agency (BIN), Mr. Muchdi PR and some Garuda Indonesia’s officers namely, Vice President of Corporate Security, Ramelgia Anwar, and crew members Udi Irianto and Yeti Susmiyati. BIN is suspected of being involved in the conspiracy to kill Munir.

According to Jakarta Post, the previous investigation team has failed to summon and question former BIN Chief AM Hendropriyono and the flight agency’s officials. The new team is expected to have authority to question all necessary parties, including officials and former officials of intelligence agency and high military officers.

Last 7 September, Munir’s second death anniversary, his wife, Suciwati, filed a Rp13 billion (about US$1.4 million) lawsuit against national airline Garuda Indonesia. She sustains her strong campaign for truth and justice. Together with activists, held a public demonstration demanding for an impartial inquiry into the death of Munir. They rallied from the Independence Monument in Central Jakarta to the National Police Headquarters in South Jakarta and Supreme Court.

Elected as a member of the Human Rights Council, Indonesia is even more pressured to address its human rights issues. AFAD Secretary-General Bacalso advised the Indonesian government to firm up its political will in resolving Munir’s case. And in line with this is to support the adoption and ratification of the International Convention to Protect All Persons from Enforced Disappearances.

Amidst the reverberating calls for truth and justice, the worst situation happened - Pollycarpus Budhiri Priyanto’s supposedly 16 - year imprisonment has been reduced to two years. In March 2007, Pollycarpus is expected to be released on the ground of lack of evidence.

For Indonesia, being a member of the UN Human Rights Council, the preposterous judgement is both a shame and an insult.