Beware of New Order supporters: PKB

JAKARTA (JP): The National Awakening Party (PKB) faction at the House of Representatives (DPR) called on the nation on Saturday to repel remaining supporters of the former corrupt and repressive New Order regime who were trying to disrupt the national reform agenda and return to power.

"The public, especially students and proreform groups, should remain alert to political maneuvers being conducted by New Order supporters to discredit the existing government and disturb the political situation in their attempt to come back," Taufikurrahman Saleh, chairman of the PKB faction, said.

Taufikurrahman accused the former regime's supporters of being behind the recent series of Christmas Eve bombings, the demonstrations against President Abdurrahman Wahid and the massive rallies planned in the city on Jan. 15. "They are just trying to create political chaos."

"Adequate evidence indicates that former New Order's supporters are reluctant to hand over power to the reformist force. Yet, many of them have been acting as reformists," he said.

Asked why the faction has militantly defended Abdurrahman's administration, Taufikurrahman said his faction had its own political interests in supporting the government in efforts to safeguard the national reform agenda.

"Our main mission is not to defend the President (individually) from his opponents, but to safeguard the reform agenda and democracy. Gus Dur is not everything. What will the reform agenda be like if we have a new President or a new government every year?," he said.

All layers of society should join hands to solve the nation's major problems, he said. "The economic crisis will gradually end if all parties work hard to restore security and order, comply with the law and to support national development programs properly," he said.

Asked to comment on the arrival of Banser civilian guards in the city to face the planned mass anti-government demonstration on Jan. 15, Taufikurrahman said his faction never supported any such mass mobilization for political goals.

"Security personnel must take strict measures against those who commit illegal actions. All the Banser civilian guards should be asked to return to their home towns in Central and East Java if they try to approach the House's compound.

"The most important thing is that security officers must be neutral in enforcing the law," he added. (rms)