Beware of New Order supporters: PKB

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)