Feisal warns of election disruptions<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): On the eve of the campaign period, the
\ngovernment issued a fresh warning of attempts by certain groups
\nto disrupt the June 7 general election.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Gen.
\n(ret) Feisal Tanjung told a media conference that the groups,
\nwhom he labeled extremists, had been trying to create political
\ninstability with the intention of forcing the polls to be
\ncanceled.<\/p>\n
Feisal identified the trouble-makers as communist-affiliated,
\nrevolution-minded and sectarian groups.<\/p>\n
\"We can sense the resurrection of the communist-linked group,
\nwhich always poses a latent danger to the nation. They activate
\ninvisible movements, and will take advantage of any event to
\ncampaign for their programs, agitate people and incite
\nconflicts,\" Feisal, a former Armed Forces chief, said.<\/p>\n
Tuesday's meeting also served as a briefing for journalists
\ncovering the elections.<\/p>\n
Discourse on a communist threat resurfaced recently after a
\nstatement by President B.J. Habibie linked the socialist thought
\nof founding president Sukarno, widely known as \"Marhaeinism\", to
\ncommunism. Habibie later rectified his statement following public
\noutcry.<\/p>\n
Feisal said the second extreme group of \"revolutionaries\"
\ndeveloped as a result of globalization.<\/p>\n
\"They demand quick changes through a revolution, forcing
\npeople to accept their opinion and plotting political maneuvers,\"
\nhe said, adding that the group would mobilize the people to put
\npressure on the government.<\/p>\n
Feisal said symptoms of sectarianism were evident in the
\nrecent conflicts and acts of harassment between supporters of
\nrival political parties.<\/p>\n
People wearing attributes of the Indonesian Democratic Party
\nof Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) have repeatedly disrupted Golkar
\nParty functions across Java. The latest skirmish broke out in
\nSemarang, the capital of Central Java, early this month, with PDI
\nPerjuangan supporters attacking a local Golkar branch office.<\/p>\n
Central Java was also a battleground for supporters of the
\nNational Awakening Party and rival United Development Party. The
\nlatest clash in Jepara last month left four people dead.<\/p>\n
Feisal said the campaign period, scheduled to run from May 19
\nto June 4, would be the most critical stage of the election
\nprocess. He called on leaders of parties contesting the June
\npolls to reduce the possibility of unrest during the period by
\nopting for indoor rallies and methods other than face-to-face
\ncampaigning, such as by using television and radio.<\/p>\n
\"Monologue rallies (outdoor assemblies) are very much prone to
\nspark brutal and violent conduct,\" Feisal said.<\/p>\n
In Surabaya, the chief of Brawijaya Military Command, which
\noversees East Java, Maj. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu, seconded early
\nsuspicions voiced by secretary of the Nahdlatul Ulama Muslim
\norganization, Said Aqiel Siradj, that about 5,000 provocateurs
\nwho had been trained abroad would create unrest along Java's
\nnorthern coast during the campaign period.<\/p>\n
\"Such an overseas training program for provocateurs must
\nexist, such as what the separatist rebel group in Aceh has
\nundergone,\" Ryamizard said as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
Ryamizard admitted he was not well-informed about the matter,
\nbut did not reject the possibility that a right-wing group was
\npreparing to disrupt the elections. (rms\/amd)<\/p>",
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