East Java prepares for backlash on calls for MPR special session<\/p>\n
SURABAYA (JP): The latest political cacophony to erupt in the
\ncapital has been met with a variety of reactions from other
\ncities, with most urging calm and some calling for political
\nprotagonists to step down.<\/p>\n
Businessman Alim Markus, who is chairman of the Bhakti
\nPersatuan foundation, a Chinese-Indonesia group in East Java, in
\nanticipation of a possible exodus abroad of ethnic Chinese in the
\nprovince.<\/p>\n
\"I ask them (all ethnic Chinese) to remain calm because
\nsecurity personnel have done their best to ensure security. If we
\npanic, foreigners will become confused and our image before the
\ninternational community will be tarnished,\" Alim said on Friday.<\/p>\n
Alim, the owner of giant plastic household products
\nmanufacturer Maspion Group, was responding to questions from
\njournalists on the surge in demand for passports at the
\nprovincial immigration office.<\/p>\n
\"I don't know about that. The increase may have no relation to
\nthe special session,\" he remarked.<\/p>\n
An official at Surabaya's immigration office claimed that
\nthere was about a 10 percent increase in passport applications
\nfrom Chinese-Indonesians in the province.<\/p>\n
According to the official, who asked not to be named, many had
\nadmitted they were applying for passports just in case widespread
\nunrest erupted in the province.<\/p>\n
Police claim that specific arrangements had been made for
\nChinese-Indonesians and expatriates in Surabaya.<\/p>\n
However in neighboring Pasuruan, a town where there is many
\nforeign-investment companies, local police chief Adj. Sr. Comr.
\nWakin said security arrangements were still being drafted.<\/p>\n
He did not give details of the possible arrangements.<\/p>\n
In Bandung, academics and professionals grouped in the Bandung
\nForum urged the government, members of the House of
\nRepresentative and the People's Consultative Assembly to all
\nresign in order to end the prolonged political impasse.<\/p>\n
\"The current political situation is very dangerous. To end the
\ndeadlock, the government should resign and the legislative bodies
\nbe dissolved,\" the forum's deputy chairman Hendarmin Ranadireksa
\ntold reporters on Friday.<\/p>\n
The forum comprises senior academics from state Padjajaran
\nUniversity and the Bandung Institute of Technology.<\/p>\n
Hendarmin said the opportunity should be given to the winner
\nof 1999 general election, the Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI Perjuangan), to run a \"caretaker\" government.<\/p>\n
\"Our proposal is the easiest and most acceptable solution,\"
\nHendarmin said.<\/p>\n
As a caretaker government, PDI Perjuangan should prepare for
\ngeneral elections before 2003, the forum stated.<\/p>\n
Another member of the forum, Sudjana Sapiie, said direct
\nelections would be the most appropriate and realistic form of
\npresidential elections to be held.<\/p>\n
\"Such a poll would be costly but I think it would be more
\neffective because what most people want would be known right
\naway,\" said Sudjana, who is also a member of the Rectors Forum.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Purbalingga, Central Java, the Air Force
\nOperation Command's Rear Marshall Sutrisno SP said his command
\nwas ready at any time to \"evacuate members of the House of
\nRepresentatives and the People's Consultative Assembly, should
\nthe situation turn ugly.\"<\/p>\n
\"We are awaiting orders from the Indonesian Military (TNI)
\nchief,\" Sutrisno said.<\/p>\n
\"Around two companies of the Air Force's elite Paskhas AU are
\nalso ready to move at any time,\" Sutrisno said. (nur\/25\/45)<\/p>",
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