A plot to topple the government?

A plot to topple the government?

A number of people gathered in a plush hotel room. There,
under the glare of television spotlights, they made public an 18-
point proposition to be televised nationwide, openly. Among those
18 points was one proposing the formation of a presidium as an
alternative to the present government.

Not much interest was shown at the time the 18 points were
publicized, neither by the public or by the government. The
declaration was regarded as a democratic adornment, something
currently in vogue. However, when huge demonstrations flared up
in Jakarta a few days later and victims fell, the realization
began to dawn that a conspiracy to topple the government was
going on. The Group of 17, which conceived the 18 points
contained in the declaration, was accused of instigating the
demonstrations, which aimed at foiling the Special Session of the
Consultative People's Assembly (MPR) and at the same time
toppling the lawful government. One after another, the people
(who signed the declaration) were questioned by police on
suspicion of conspiring to topple the government.

Because it concerns power, a conspiracy to topple a government
must be based on some grand design, complete with a description
of the stages and modes of operation involved. When the plotters
are questioned, no facts should actually need to be kept secret.
All the intelligence data, initially meant for the consumption of
certain officials only, must now be made available to the public.
The public has the right to know in detail what the plot
attempted to achieve and how.

The government at present is making the stakes extremely high.
It must have the courage and resolution to take action against
the plotters if it can prove its case. Otherwise it must in all
fairness restore the suspects' names. Any dallying or leaving the
case unresolved for no clear reason -- as in the case of the
abduction of political activists, the resolution of whose cases
remains obscure up to the present -- will only further tarnish
the government's image.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta