Analysts point to the 'usual suspects' in bombings

JAKARTA (JP): Politicians and observers pointed to a well- organized and affluent group with political ambitions as the perpetrators of the Christmas eve bombings, with some even directly suggesting that forces loyal to the New Order regime were responsible.

Apart from expressing horror and condemnation, various comments on the bloody Christmas bombings were united in their belief that the attack was politically motivated.

The Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI) said that in view of the synchronous timing and the way it was executed, it cannot be readily concluded that this was a religiously motivated attack.

PBHI chairman Hendardi pointed out that the attack was meticulously planned, organized under a solid network by a group used to employing coercive measures and has sufficient financial support.

In his analysis it was important to look at who has the most to gain and who has the means.

"Elements of the old political forces (New Order) are the ones who have the most at stake in undermining the political transition towards democracy," Hendardi said in a statement here on Monday.

"And they are also the ones who have the foremost means to carry out such a despicable act," he added.

Hendardi thus called on the government, in particular President Abdurrahman Wahid, to take firm action by drawing a firm line against forces of the previous regime.

"Political compromises which have been done so far have not succeeded in improving the situation and casualties continue to fall. Confrontation with old (political) forces is no longer a choice that can be avoided," he asserted.

The National Commission on Human Rights also stressed the need for assertive action by the government and law enforcers, particularly considering that Idul Fitri is just two days away.

"State intelligence agencies must sincerely carry out their duties and support the police force to ensure security and order," the Commission said in a statement signed by Chairman Djoko Soegianto and General Secretary Asmara Nababan.

They further stressed that the government must ensure that necessary information on the investigation of the bombings be disseminated to the people so the public will not be prone to rumors and heresay.

Similarly the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction at the House of Representatives also underlined the need for public and police vigilance particularly since Idul Fitri is approaching.

"Such a brutal act under the guise of religious conflict must never happen again in our country. Thus the whole country must unite to face this," the party faction said in its statement.

Gustaf Dupe of the Indonesian Community for Humanity further stressed that despite the seemingly religious nature of the attack, the true motive had nothing to do with a war of faiths.

"We would like to stress that there is no religious war in the this country," he said.

"Events which try to implant a perception of a religious war, such as that in Ambon and Maluku, is merely the act of amoral people who exploit religion as a vehicle to achieve their ambitions," he added.

"We hope neither Christians nor Muslims will be provoked by these issues (of a religious war)."

But Gustaf also lamented on the inability of security forces in anticipating such a widespread attack: "Haven't we already received a warning from Ambon sometime ago about the possibility of this happening?"

Statements of concern were also expressed by the Indonesian Axis which is headed by politician Eros Djarot.

"We urge the government and security forces to, in the shortest time possible, take action against the perpetrators of the bombing," Eros said here on Monday.

Without going into detail, Eros added that the government must ensure that it does not make itself, or the nation, vulnerable to recurring acts violence.

Elite conflict

West Nusa Tenggara Governor Harun Al Rasyid made no qualms that the bomb attack which occurred in the provincial capital of Mataram was a result of political infighting by the political elite and not an internal conflict of the people of the province.

Mataram churches was the scene of bomb attacks Sunday night. So far no one has reportedly been killed.

"The attack on the church was an act that should be condemned," he charged in Mataram on Monday.

Harun had no hesitation in suggesting that the coordinated attack on churches on Christmas eve was an upshot of conflict of interests between the political elite in Jakarta.

He claimed that the attack on the churches was only a midterm objective, with the ultimate goal of creating chaos in the country and anxiety amongst the general public.

This he said would lead to a loss of confidence in the government.

Antara also quoted Harun as saying that Sunday's attack was similar to the recent spate of bombs in other cities across the country in that it was most likely done by someone from Jakarta.

The governor seemed convinced that the bombing in the province was not the work of those from Mataram.

People in West Nusa Tenggara are generally quite religious and do not possess such a diabolic nature, Harun claimed.

Meanwhile back in Jakarta, the Association of Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals (ICMI) said the attack was not merely aimed at Christians but against the whole Indonesian nation.

ICMI chairman Adi Sasono suggested that the attack was not a stand alone incident but was likely related to other religious and communal conflicts occurring in the country such as Ambon, North Maluku, Poso and Medan.

"It's all done to prevent a stable and peaceful Indonesia," Adi told journalists here on Monday.

He pointed out that incidents which sparked wide scale conflict in Ambon, Maluku and Poso, Southeast Sulawesi, also occurred during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan.

Separately United Development Party (PPP) chairman Hamzah Haz said Sunday's attack should be used as a moment of introspection for the government.

While expressing his regret on the attack, Hamzah feared that a very shortsighted opinion may arise as a result which lays blame on Muslims.

If not properly handled, Hamzah warned that the attack could further reduce the government's credibility and worsen the economy.

AM Fatwa of the National Mandate Party suggested the attack was perpetrated by certain parties who were disappointed or wanted to overthrow the government.

"This is clearly aimed at playing one religious community against another, particularly the Moslems against Christians. But I think this is more than that," he added.

Senior legislator Aisyah Amini also echoed her concern that Muslims in the country might be blamed for the attack, a scenario she said which would fall into the hands of the mastermind of the attack.

"There must be provocateurs who committed it. They are trying to create an impression that the bombing was perpetrated by muslims," Aisyah was quoted by Antara here on Monday.

She further expressed some anxiety that the violence may not immediately abate as similar attacks could occur in two days time at Idul Fitri.

"On the eve of Idul Fitri festivities, I ask Muslims to be cautious. But don't become suspicious of other people of different faiths," she remarked.

In Surabaya, the East Java branch of the Nahdlatul Ulama organization in a statement Monday evening called on police to thoroughly investigate the bombing attacks, particularly the ones in the province which claimed at least one life.

East Java Police Chief Insp. Gen, Sutanto during a visit to the bomb site in the town of Mojokerto called on Muslims there not to conduct mass gatherings on the eve of Idul Fitri to avoid the potential for a recurrence of such incidents.

"This will help reduce the opportunity for certain parties to exploit the situation," he remarked. (team)