A promise neglected<\/p>\n
Not long after he was installed as President, B.J. Habibie
\npromised to have all the events surrounding the May 1998 riots
\nthoroughly investigated. A similar pledge was made by Armed
\nForces commander Gen. Wiranto. The government also set up a fact-
\nfinding team consisting of a number of independent citizens.<\/p>\n
There was hope the government would be serious in dealing with
\nthe subject. Various other political events, however, arose to
\novertake the matter. Unrest erupted in a number of areas and has
\nremained unresolved to this day. In the meantime, two other
\ncrucial events are approaching: the general election in June and
\nthe election of a new president during the General Session of the
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly.<\/p>\n
This string of events has pushed last May's riots, including
\nthe fatal shooting of the Trisakti students, into the background.
\nThere is the impression that all this is seen by some as a
\nblessing in disguise -- something which could, hopefully, wipe
\nout the tracks which might reveal who was behind the May 1998
\nriots.<\/p>\n
This is a most dangerous tendency. It is not inconceivable
\nthat employing such a \"scorched earth\" policy to pass over
\ntroublesome situations could turn into a permanent pattern in our
\nhistory. The problem in this particular case is not just the
\ntotal material damage inflicted or the number of lives lost. More
\nthan that, at stake is the public's trust in the government's
\nability to ensure that such atrocious acts of terror as those
\nwhich occurred in May last year will never again be repeated.<\/p>\n
Because of this -- and without minimizing the importance of
\nall the violence which occurred afterwards -- it is important
\nthat the dark episodes of May 1998 be immediately and thoroughly
\ninvestigated. In fact, even without having made their promises,
\nB.J. Habibie and Wiranto have an obligation to do so.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-promise-neglected-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }