Political temperature heats up: Feisal<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung said
\nyesterday that with the approaching 1997 general election,
\npolitical temperature has been heating up.<\/p>\n
\"The heated political and security situation is not only
\ncaused by maneuvers of the political parties contesting next
\nyear's general election, but also by the activities of certain
\npressure groups,\" he said as quoted by Antara in Bandung
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
He did not elaborate on what he meant by \"pressure groups\".<\/p>\n
Briefing a gathering of 339 commandants of provincial and
\ndistrict military commands from across the country, Feisal said
\nthe activities of the pressure groups have become more
\ntransparent and their activities worsened the domestic political
\nsituation.<\/p>\n
\"Their aim is not only to disrupt next year's general
\nelection, but also to undermine the government,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He called on officials to maintain alertness and to make
\naccurate decisions in securing the 1997 general election and the
\n1998 general meeting of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).<\/p>\n
The three political groupings -- Golkar, the United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP) and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI)
\n-- will contest 425 of the 500 seats in the House of
\nRepresentatives (DPR). The remaining 75 seats are reserved for
\nmembers of the Armed Forces, whose members do not vote.<\/p>\n
The 500 House members, with the 500 appointed members of the
\nMPR, will meet in March 1998 to elect a president for 1998-2003.<\/p>\n
Accompanied by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Hartono and Chief of
\nthe Army Territorial Center Maj. Gen. Adang Ruchiatna, Feisal
\nreminded officials to beware extremist elements working to
\nexploit explosive issues such as labor and land disputes or
\nsocial and religious conflicts.<\/p>\n
He rejected observations from some political analysts that the
\nArmed Forces has become alienated from the people.<\/p>\n
\"The analysis is not true. Yet, we will consider the
\nobservations as input,\" he said. (21\/imn)<\/p>",
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