Habibie repeats communism alert<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie reiterated on Thursday
\nhis warning of a communist threat, Marhaenism and socialism --
\nwhich some people dub \"Komas\".<\/p>\n
In a meeting with a group of youths at Merdeka Palace, Habibie
\nsaid the ideologies remained a threat to the nation, according to
\nState Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Agung Laksono.<\/p>\n
Marhaenism was coined by the late founding president, Sukarno.
\nDerived from the name of a poor farmer, Marhaen, Sukarno used the
\nname to describe his thoughts on a range of ideologies. The
\nexpression bears emotional connotations for supporters of the
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), whose
\nleader is Sukarno's daughter Megawati Soekarnoputri, and several
\nother parties which call themselves Marhaen.<\/p>\n
\"But it does not mean... that Marhaenism has become
\ncommunism, or that it has been infiltrated, but we need to remain
\nalert,\" Agung quoted the President as telling members of Trikora
\nYouth.<\/p>\n
On Monday, Habibie warned of a \"Komas\" threat, saying its
\nproponents continued a campaign to topple the government.<\/p>\n
\"We do not want to accuse (antigovernment campaigners) of
\nbecoming communists, but they might have been (influenced)
\nthrough Marhaenism,\" said the minister.<\/p>\n
Six groups of university student organizations, including the
\nIndonesian Muslim Student Association in Purwokerto, Central
\nJava, sent a letter to Habibie, condemning his statement.<\/p>\n
Golkar Party Deputy chairman Marzuki Darusman said Habibie's
\nunclear political commitments, including his recent statement
\nabout the possible reawakening of communism, Marhaenism and
\nsocialism, would adversely affect his chance of becoming Golkar's
\npresidential candidate from 1999 to 2004.<\/p>\n
\"Golkar's leadership meeting will take Habibie's unclear
\npolitical commitment into consideration when it discusses his
\nnomination as the party's presidential candidate,\" Marzuki said.<\/p>\n
Golkar has put Habibie among the top five preferred
\npresidential candidates. The other nominees are Minister of
\nDefense and Security\/Indonesian Military chief Gen. Wiranto,
\nMinister\/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung, Yogyakarta Governor Sri
\nSultan Hamengkubuwono X and Coordinating Minister for Economy,
\nFinance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita.<\/p>\n
Marzuki has for sometime been expressing an opposing stance on
\nthe matter from Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung. While Akbar
\ninsists Habibie is the party's strongest candidate, Marzuki
\nclearly favors Wiranto.<\/p>\n
Marzuki acknowledged Habibie has not appeared serious in his
\ninvestigation into former president Soeharto's alleged corrupt,
\ncollusive and nepotistic practices during his 32-year rule.<\/p>\n
\"Habibie has conducted an incomplete investigation into
\nSoeharto and his fortune and this has disappointed the people,\"
\nMarzuki said.<\/p>\n
He said Habibie's recent warning of a communist threat and
\nMarhaenism and socialism had drawn negative reactions from the
\npublic.<\/p>\n
\"This statement and the public's reactions may be not a
\nproblem for Habibie himself, but it will be important input for
\nGolkar in rejecting his candidacy.<\/p>\n
\"To me, Habibie has a pleasant personality, but I cannot
\naccept everything he says and talks about.\"<\/p>\n
Marzuki said Golkar's central board would hold a plenary
\nsession Friday (today) to decide whether the leadership meeting
\nwould be held before or after the elections.<\/p>\n
The leadership meeting will decide on only one of the five
\nnominees as the party's presidential candidate. (prb\/edt\/rms\/45)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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