Evidence needed<\/p>\n
Amid the speculation about who could be behind the killings
\n(in Banyuwangi, East Java), a most disturbing assertion has been
\nmade by the chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) board,
\nAbdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur). Gus Dur told reporters masterminds
\nof the killings could be found in the current Reform Cabinet as
\nwell as outside the cabinet's formal structure. The motive,
\naccording to Gus Dur, is to provoke the outrage of NU members and
\ncreate national instability. The aim is to upset the scheduled
\n1999 general elections. Gus Dur also said the Armed Forces are
\nnot involved and President B.J. Habibie has no knowledge of the
\nplot.<\/p>\n
A number of NU ulemas have confirmed Gus Dur's statement, and
\nsome of them even asserted that the whole affair has occurred as
\na consequence of conflicts within the country's political elite.
\nIn a meeting in Banyuwangi on Sunday, ulemas asked Commander of
\nthe Armed Forces, Wiranto, to bring the quarreling parties
\ntogether. Wiranto agreed.<\/p>\n
Obviously, Gus Dur must have good reason to have come to the
\nconclusion that one or more masterminds of the (Banyuwangi)
\nkillings are in the cabinet. Therefore, assuming that such an
\nallegation is correct -- although the logic of it may be
\ndifficult to understand, especially in the context of upsetting
\nthe coming general elections in order to preserve the status quo
\n-- it would be most expedient for Gus Dur, as a religious leader,
\nto make clear who those masterminds are.<\/p>\n
We all condemn those barbarous killings. We would therefore
\nlike to see those masterminds brought to justice, irrespective of
\nwho they might be. Because of this, Gus Dur's willingness to
\nreveal who those masterminds are is important in order that we,
\nas a nation, may stave off mutual suspicion and slander. We also
\nurge our law enforcers to act proactively, among other things by
\nconsulting Gus Dur.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/evidence-needed-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }