Gus Dur's nod for arrest plan 'maneuver'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Political observers speculated on Sunday that
\nPresident Abdurrahman Wahid's approval for the arrest of certain
\nlegislators is a political maneuver to secure his position and a
\nshow of force in the lead-up to the general session of the
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly in August.<\/p>\n
They, however, suggested that the move could be purely related
\nto law enforcement against the aggravating sectarian conflict in
\nMaluku, which has racked the islands for 18 months.<\/p>\n
Kusnanto Anggoro of the Center for Strategic and International
\nStudies (CSIS) told The Jakarta Post that Abdurrahman had to show
\nhis teeth "in the face of a very critical situation" at the
\nAugust general session.<\/p>\n
"That's the way he raises power ahead of the general session,
\nwhere he has to take on a very risky situation. This is just a
\nshow of force," Kusnanto said.<\/p>\n
He said Abdurrahman's relations with political parties are
\ndwindling as reflected in the House of Representatives'
\noverwhelming support for an interpellation motion to seek the
\nPresident's explanation of his controversial policies, including
\nthe latest dismissal of his Cabinet ministers.<\/p>\n
In a quite parallel response, the dean of the School of Social
\nand Political Sciences of the University of Indonesia, Muhammad
\nBudyatna, deemed that Abdurrahman is trying to stave off
\ncriticism against him prior to the general session.<\/p>\n
"Abdurrahman moves to put pressure on the legislators in
\nexchange for their persistent criticism that has left him on the
\nreceiving end. This is a political maneuver in anticipation of
\nthe worst scenario in which the interpellation motion will
\nfinally lead to the Assembly special session," Budyatna said.<\/p>\n
He said it was also very likely that the arrest plan was part
\nof a thorough settlement of sectarian clashes in Maluku, which
\nhas so far claimed more than 3,000 lives since it first erupted
\nin January 1999.<\/p>\n
Defense minister Juwono Sudarsono has repeatedly stated that
\ncertain people from Jakarta are masterminding the ongoing
\nconflict in Maluku. He admitted, however, it was difficult to
\nsupply evidence for the allegation.<\/p>\n
Opinion war<\/p>\n
A different angle was offered by political communication
\nexpert Deddy Djamaludin Malik, who said the President is
\nlaunching a war of public opinion.<\/p>\n
He said Abdurrahman unveiled the arrest plan in defense of
\nmembers of the House who had been attacking him, "especially with
\ntheir support for an interpellation motion ahead of the Assembly
\nsession next August."<\/p>\n
"Gus Dur intends to tell the people that the government's
\nweaknesses and mistakes cannot be accountable only to the
\nCabinet," Deddy from Padjadjaran University said in reference to
\nthe President.<\/p>\n
"Through his statement, the President wants to create an image
\namong the people that he is not the only one to blame."<\/p>\n
Deddy said it was easily understandable why Abdurrahman used
\nsuch an informal forum as the dialog in Kuta, Bali.<\/p>\n
"Gus Dur did not need to comply with the legal procedures that
\nrequire him, when he has evidence, to report it to the police. It
\nis the police who have the rights to arrest those who are found
\nguilty," Deddy said.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman chose the forum in Bali "perhaps because he does
\nnot have adequate legal evidence."<\/p>\n
He suggested that the President be more careful when speaking.
\n"He is risking his reputation if no concrete steps follow his
\nstatements. People will be more aware of what he says about
\nsomething which does not exist."<\/p>\n
Deddy said the move was evidence that the President is not
\nready to face criticism from the House which is carrying out its
\nfunction to control the executives.<\/p>\n
He also called on the President to get tough with his
\ncontenders in the coming Assembly session.<\/p>\n
"The annual session is not a forum to attack each other. It
\nshould bridge a two-way communication between the legislative and
\nexecutive," he said.<\/p>\n
Also in Bandung, another Padjadjaran University expert, Rusadi
\nKantaprawira, warned Gus Dur that his statements could be
\ninterpreted by many as an attempt to frighten his critics.<\/p>\n
"His statements are linked to the fact that he (the
\nPresident), as of July 1, has the full authority and control of
\nthe national police. In this way he could abuse his authority in
\na political game," Rusadi said.<\/p>\n
However, Kusnanto asserted that Abdurrahman's move could be
\njustified as long as the investigation process is conducted in a
\ntransparent manner. He said Abdurrahman has to immediately
\nrehabilitate those who are proven not guilty.<\/p>\n
"As long as the summon is in accordance with the law and
\nconducted transparently with a rehabilitation mechanism for those
\nwho are proven to be innocent, then it will be okay," Kusnanto
\nremarked. (25\/dja\/sur)<\/p>",
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