"There are no terrorists here. I guarantee that. If they exist, don't arrest any Muslim clerics, arrest me."
- Quoted by The Jakarta Post on May 29, 2002.

"There's no terrorist network in Indonesia, particularly in this school."
- Tempo Interaktif on May 30, 2002. Haz was referring to Bashir's Al Mukmin Islamic Boarding School in Solo, Central Java.

"I've proven it [the non-existence of terrorism in Indonesia] myself by visiting the Al Mukmin Muslim School, which has been said to be a terrorist nest in Indonesia. This place is really aimed at preparing young people in Islamic education."
- Tempo Interaktif, May 30, 2002.

"However, if this accusation is true and Al Mukmin is proven to be a terrorist nest, I will be the first one who orders for the arrest of the alleged terrorists."
- Tempo Interaktif, May 30, 2002.

"There's no special mission in this visit. I only fulfill Mr. Bashir's invitation to come here following his visit to my home."
- Tempo Interaktif, May 30, 2002.

"I met these people [Bashir and Laskar Jihad leader Jafar Umar Thalib] personally, and it makes little sense to suspect them of being terrorists. If they were terrorists, shouldn't they be playing their games underground, not out in the open? I said earlier, if they're proven to be terrorists I will personally ask that they be arrested. But if they're not, then I call on the authorities to arrest me first."
— Newsweek, July 1, 2002.

"If you want to arrest Abu Bakar Bashir you will have to deal with me first."
- The Age quoting Haz just days before the October 12 Bali bombings.

"[The Bali blast] was an act of terrorism. No one who is involved in terrorism, ordinary people, government officials or ulemas [Muslim religious leaders] has impunity from the law."
- The Sydney Morning Herald, October 15, 2002.

"The legal process against Bashir will be carried out based on Indonesian laws."
- Antara, October 18, 2002.

"It would be too foolish if the Indonesian police or investigators are ready to be disturbed by foreign intervention. The police will not recklessly summon anyone."
- Antara, October 18, 2002.

"The alleged existence of an international terrorism network in Indonesia cannot be detected until legal process shows it
People should not think negatively about the move to summon Bashir."
- Antara, October 18, 2002.