Bakin wary of new poll watchdog

Bakin wary of new poll watchdog

JAKARTA (JP): The outgoing Chief of the State Intelligence
Coordinating Board (Bakin), Lt. Gen. (ret) Soedibyo, told the
nation yesterday to beware of the newly-established Independent
Election Monitoring Committee and of the ethnic, racial and
religious issues that could disrupt national stability before
next year's general election.

"We must prevent the committee's activities from harming
social order and the existing political system," he said after
transferring his post to Lt. Gen. Moetojib yesterday.

Moetojib, former governor of the National Resilience Institute
(Lemhannas), was installed as chief of the intelligence body by
Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono at Bakin Headquarters in
Pejaten, South Jakarta.

Soedibyo said that the independent group is a rival to the
National Election Supervision Committee set up by the government
to monitor elections and that it lies outside of the system.

The independent watchdog, set up early last month, is chaired
by Goenawan Mohamad, former editor of the now-defunct Tempo news
magazine. Its membership is made up of noted political observers
and human rights activists, including Nurcholish Madjid and Arbi
Sanit, Sri Bintang Pamungkas, Luhut Pangaribuan.

It has been welcomed by many political observers as well as
the United Development Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party.

However, it has been criticized by the government, the Armed
Forces and some leaders of the ruling party, Golkar -- most of
whom refuse to recognize the committee.

Moerdiono, in his speech, challenged Bakin to carry out its
main task of providing early information on the latest
developments in the social, political, cultural and defense
fields.

"The more accurate the information the more significant it is
for the head of state in making decisions," he said.

Moerdiono said that the other challenge faced by Bakin is to
monitor local and international changes that could be harmful to
Indonesia.

"Bakin should be able to detect all the changes and make
predictions about their possible effects here," he said.

The minister said Soedibyo was successful in his role as
Bakin's deputy chief between 1988 and 1989 and as the Board's
chief between 1989 and 1996.

Moetojib, 56, graduated from the Military Academy in 1962. He
later took advanced courses and studied at various military
schools.

He attended the Army Staff and Command School in 1976, the
Joint Command School in 1982 and a Lemhannas course in 1988.

His previous positions include chief of staff of the Jakarta
garrison (1988-1991), commandant of the Army's Center for
Territorial Affairs (1991-1992), chief of the Wirabuana Military
Command overseeing Sulawesi (1992-1993) and Lemhannas governor
(1994-1996).

Asked to comment on Moetojib's new appointment, Moerdiono said
that despite his lack of experience in the intelligence field,
Moetojib would was right for the job.

"The position needs no broad experience in the intelligence
field," Moerdiono said, adding that Moetojib's experience at
Lemhannas would also be helpful. (rms)

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