Military element feared behind political terror<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Political observers here are speculating that
\nrogue elements inside the military are behind the recent wave of
\n"political terror" launched against the nation's legislators.<\/p>\n
Political scientists Riza Sihbudi from the National Institute
\nof Sciences (LIPI), criminologist Mulyana W. Kusumah and
\npolitical observer Arbi Sanit, both from the University of
\nIndonesia (UI), told The Jakarta Post on Sunday that these
\nactions were a direct threat to Indonesia's fledgling democracy
\nand must be stopped.<\/p>\n
Riza strongly believed that the attacks were part of a grand
\ndesign with a clear message to legislators to stop trying to edge
\nout the role of the military in politics.<\/p>\n
"I think it is the military behind these. Not TNI (the
\nIndonesian Military) as an institution but their personnel. They
\nhave the skills and capability and I'm sure some high-ranking
\nofficers have enough resources to finance such an operation," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
"The series of incidents happening to members of the House of
\nRepresentatives (DPR) are not just coincidences. This is
\npolitically related," Riza charged.<\/p>\n
"Law enforcers and the government must handle this matter
\nseriously. Don't let these incidents be repeated and become part
\nof our political culture," he added.<\/p>\n
Riza's belief on who was behind the incidents was echoed by
\ncriminologist Mulyana, who said: "They (the military) can create
\ngroups or get civilians to carry out the plan."<\/p>\n
"I regret that our police are often simplifying the matter and
\nseem reluctant to investigate it.<\/p>\n
"This is a phenomenon which will occur anywhere if
\ndiscontented groups on the political stage, in this case the
\nmilitary, cannot find any constitutional measures to express
\ntheir disappointment or they have had enough with our vocal
\nlegislators," he remarked.<\/p>\n
A series of incidents have befallen legislators in the past
\nthree months.<\/p>\n
On Jan. 25 legislator Tengku Nashiruddin Daud of the United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP) was found dead in Sibolangit, Deli
\nSerdang regency, North Sumatra after he was earlier reportedly
\nabducted.<\/p>\n
On Feb. 8 a bizarre incident occurred when a bullet pierced
\nthe window of the office of PPP legislator Suryadharma Ali
\nlocated on the 16th floor of the House complex here.<\/p>\n
On March 5 two men attacked the National Awakening Party (PKB)
\nchairman Matori Abdul Djalil in front of his house in the Tanjung
\nMas Raya housing complex in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
On March 13 another bullet pierced the window of the House
\nbuilding. Who or where the shots were fired from remains unclear.<\/p>\n
The shot was fired as legislators were holding a hearing with
\nformer president Soeharto's youngest son, Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala
\nPutra, over graft allegations.<\/p>\n
In the latest incident on Saturday, burglars broke into the
\nofficial residence of House speaker Akbar Tandjung at the
\nministerial housing complex in Kebayoran Baru in South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Police say the thieves made off with a bag containing two
\ncheckbooks and Rp 2 million in cash.<\/p>\n
Akbar was out of town at the time.<\/p>\n
Mulyana was convinced that the latest robbery was not simple
\npetty crime.<\/p>\n
"No thieves would take such a small amount of money from
\nAkbar's house. Even if there's no cash, there are valuable goods.
\nThat's not an ordinary burglary," Mulyana stressed, adding the
\ntheft was used to camouflage the real intent.<\/p>\n
While also conceding the possibility of the involvement of
\ncertain military elements working individually, Arbi Sanit
\npointed out that people should also understand that it was
\ndifficult for the military to see the ongoing political process
\nwhich was increasingly sidelining them.<\/p>\n
"High-ranking officers might not directly know it, but I'm
\nsure they can detect that lower-ranking officers may hold grudges
\nover the recent processes," he remarked.<\/p>\n
But Arbi also did not close the possibility that senior
\nofficers may be behind the terror, speculating it could be
\nofficers who suddenly find that their promised career rewards,
\nsuch as gubernatorial posts, have now diminished.<\/p>\n
In the future, Arbi suggested that legislators and the
\ngovernment not be "too hard" on the military.<\/p>\n
"But it doesn't mean that stern measures against those
\nmisbehaving shouldn't be taken," he remarked, suggesting that
\naction be taken "slowly but surely."<\/p>\n
Meanwhile military spokesman Air Rear Marshal Graito Usodo
\ndeclined to comment on these allegations.<\/p>\n
"If this is still speculation and a very political one, I'd
\nrather not comment on it. My statements can add new problems," he
\ntold the Post. (emf)<\/p>",
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