come." The ABC interviewer then told Hamzah: "In light of Bali, that would seem a reprehensible comment, if you knew that people were here." Hamzah responded: "It's not true that I protect them and I don't regret what I said, but I said it in the past – it relates to the past. But now if there is a connection we want to know whether it is true that Indonesia has a terrorist network." Accusation of United States terrorism On 3 September 2003 Hamzah stated, "Actually, who is the terrorist, who is against human rights? The answer is the United States because they attacked Iraq. Moreover, it is the terrorist king, waging war." According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Hamzah's statement was "a scathing attack that echoed the language of many of the Bali bombers". Hamzah had also been criticised for publicly associating with several of Indonesia's more hardline Islamic leaders, including Bashir, although after the Bali terrorist attack Hamzah severed those ties. Soon after Hamzah's remarks, Riza Sihbudi, a political analyst at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, told the Detik news service that Hamzah seemed to be chasing votes. "He should not have spoken like that as he is the Vice-President", Sihbudi said. Al Jazeera reported the day after Hamzah's statement that "There has yet to be a US reaction to the well-known firebrand's comments." Personal life The Office of the Vice President officially states that Hamzah has two wives, Asmaniah (b. 27 July 1942), and Titin Kartini (b. 4 May 1946), with whom he has a total of 12 children. However, another source states Haz has a third wife, Soraya, whom he does not officially acknowledge, and with whom he has a further three children. Hamzah Haz's son Nur Agus Haz, is a member of parliament for the United Development Party Degree He is sometimes known as Dr. Hamzah; he is reported to have obtained a PhD from American World University, an internet diploma mill, for US$1,200. Notes References Barton, Greg.(2005) Jemaah Islamiyah: Radical Islam in Indonesia Sydney: University of New South Wales Press. 1940 births Living people People from Ketapang Regency Indonesian people of Malay descent United Development Party politicians Chairmen of the United Development Party Vice presidents of Indonesia Indonesian Islamists People using unaccredited degrees