A conspiracy?
Not long ago President B.J. Habibie made an open statement to a forum of foreign journalists saying that upon his return from his inauguration as president he was startled to see a concentration of Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) troops surrounding his house. He immediately contacted Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander General Wiranto to promptly discharge the Kostrad commander Prabowo Subianto and withdraw the troops.
Logically, the world wants to see follow-up measures after an important statement by the head of state. The attorney general and the commander of the Armed Forces/the chief of Police should act in a proactive way without waiting for orders and summon Prabowo accused of conspiracy, i.e. using arms to besiege the President. But, so far, there have been no follow-up steps. The accused should be brought to court speedily. It is the court that decides. If the defendant is not proven guilty, he should be released and his name restored. If he is proven guilty, a legal process must be started. If there is proof of people behind him, they should also be sued. Prabowo only sent a simple letter as his response, per facsimile, from Jordan and the minister of defense and security/commander of the Armed Forces made a statement. The facsimile contained a denial of what the head of state had said. There is a popular saying, "Is there a thief who admits he is a thief?" It is the court that decides whether he is a thief or not.
The Armed Forces commander's statement in defense of the accused said it was a rational measure, i.e. the concentration of troops at the President's residence was for security reasons. One day after this statement, Ms Dewi Fortuna Anwar, President Habibie's advisor on foreign affairs, commented on the statement on TV, "If it was for security reasons, why should the head of state be evacuated to another place?" It is true that if the presence of the troops was for reasons of security, the head of state should have been informed before hand. He could have gone home quietly. And he would not need to issue the order for dismissal of the Kostrad commander. The statement to the forum of foreign journalists would not have been necessary.
If the most basic of laws is not adhered to, what about the other laws? Not surprisingly, despite the many facilities offered and an oral guarantee of security, foreign investors still hesitate to enter a state whose laws are complete and strict only on paper! Apparently the "law crisis" in our country is at the base of all other crises (monetary, economic, etc.).
THOMAS P. TANDANG
Jakarta