Dian Kuswandini, Jakarta – The controversy over Tim Weiner's book The Legacy of Ashes: The History of CIA, which claims Indonesia's former vice president Adam Malik was a US spy, has seen the Attorney General's Office (AGO) launch an investigation into an alleged conspiracy to destabilize the country.

Assistant attorney general for intelligent affairs Wisnu Subroto said his team had started an investigation into the Pulitzer-winning book, focusing among other aspects on the allegation that Adam received US$10,000 from the CIA to overthrow former president Sukarno.

"The claim is still questionable, which is why we have been looking into whether the document really belongs to the CIA," he said Saturday.

Weiner, a New York Times journalist, quoted former CIA agent Clyde McAvoy in his book as saying "Adam Malik was a CIA agent in 1964."

The book, recently published in Indonesian, said Adam used the money to spearhead a movement aimed at cleansing communists following their abortive coup attempt on Sept. 30, 1965.

Wisnu and the AGO allege the book is part of a foreign conspiracy to disturb the country's stability.

"Spreading false rumors is just part of a foreign strategy to weaken our country. As a developing country, Indonesia has the opportunity to take advantage from the mess of western countries' economic situations.

"They want Indonesia to remain trapped in the problems of the past, and want to hamper our people as we move toward the future," Wisnu said.

The AGO has called for the public not to exaggerate the issue. "If (the accusation against Malik) is true, what is the use of overstressing it? He has passed away and the consequences of what he might have done have passed. We should move on."

Adam Malik was Indonesia's top diplomat and served as vice president from 1978 to 1983.

The AGO began its investigation into the book following a request from the House of Representatives to ban its release in Indonesia, claiming it could cause disturbances in the country.