By: Kylie Edmundson

The Historical Commission of Inquiry of 2005 (COI) recently completed a heated interview with the Indonesian Attorney General Abdul Rahman Saleh. Following an election in 1999 that went in favor of Timor-Leste’s independence from Indonesia, violence broke out, causing over 1,300 Timor-Leste deaths. The COI is working to investigate the legitimacy of the trials Indonesia has held against their citizens accused of these violent acts.

In this investigation the COI brought in the Indonesian Attorney General and questioned him on the accountability and workings of the trials held by Indonesia. The Attorney General at first glance seemed cooperative with the line of questioning from the Commissioners, but things quickly took a turn when he was pressed on the inner workings of the court and his knowledge on any procedures that may have interfered with the cases’ legitimacy. 

Attorney General Abdul Rahman Saleh questioned the place of the Commissioners to investigate and press the Indonesian government on their own pushback to international pressure on concerns with the trials being held in Indonesian courts. The interview came to a breaking point when questioned on how scorched earth tactics affect wildlife, specifically racoons, and on who will take accountability for the potential rehabilitation of the racoons. This is when the Attorney General stated, “…these questions  are a blatant waste of time, and I will be leaving if there are no further questions.” Although the Attorney General implied he would stay if needed, he instead proceeded to walk out of the interview leaving many on the COI speechless. 

Commissioner Jack McIrvin of India, who led the line of questioning immediately proceeding the Attorney General’s unexpected leave, said, “I believe the conversation went well, up to the point of him realizing the Commission is finding mounting evidence on his party’s significant lack of accountability.” While the COI’s interview may have ended abruptly, only time will tell how this affects the Commission’s final report.