Calls mount for Habibie and Wiranto to step down

JAKARTA (JP): The outpouring of shock, condemnation and condolences continued on Sunday over the bloody clash on Friday which claimed at least 15 lives and left hundreds injured.

All organizations and political groupings which relayed their statements to The Jakarta Post were united in expressing full support for the student movement seeking overall reform and democracy. They also demanded that justice be served in the brutal acts committed from Nov. 10 to Nov. 13 during the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

They differed on what actions should be taken against government officials held responsible for the deaths.

Some groups demanded that President B.J. Habibie, Armed Forces chief Gen. Wiranto and Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Feisal Tanjung resign immediately over what they considered barbarous acts against protesters.

Several others asserted total rejection of the decrees adopted by the MPR and demanded the establishment of a provisional MPR.

The Moslem Community Party, led by Deliar Noer, and the National Movement for Justice and National Unity, coordinated by Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, also deplored Habibie's instruction on Saturday for Wiranto to take whatever action necessary to deal with what he termed acts of rebellion to topple his government.

However, the Indonesian Moslem Forum, led by Hartono Mardjono, expressed full support of government actions in dealing with what it considered acts of anarchy toward the legal government and MPR decrees.

The following are summaries of some of the statements:

Indonesian People's Party: Habibie and Feisal Tanjung must resign immediately and must be investigated to ascertain their role in the repressive acts which caused the Friday tragedy. Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen Noegroho Djayoesman and Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Djaja Soeparman must be dismissed immediately and brought before military tribunals. The onus is on Gen. Wiranto, although responsible for the tragedy, to prove whether or not he was directly responsible for giving orders for the repressive measures.

The MPR membership must be reshuffled to bring in representatives of pro-reform organizations and political parties and this new Assembly convene a second Special Session.

The Jakarta National Institute of Science and Technology: Habibie must resign immediately to prevent a civil war and Wiranto give an account of the tragedy, setting up investigations and dealing firmly with those responsible for the violent acts. The military's sociopolitical role must be stopped immediately.

Moslem Community Party: The military's sociopolitical role must be stopped immediately and Wiranto resign. Habibie's instruction to Wiranto to take whatever action necessary to deal with acts of rebellion is deplorable. The President should act wisely and prudently as a true leader, and not as an authoritarian one, in dealing with the current grave problem.

The National Labor Party: The MPR decrees must be rejected and Habibie resign immediately. Wiranto and National Police chief Lt. Gen. Roesmanhadi should be brought before military tribunals.

Leather, Textile and Clothing Trade Union: The President and Wiranto should give accountability on the tragedy to ensure that last week's brutal acts of security personnel will not recur. Otherwise, there should be a national strike and solidarity on the part of international trade unions to boycott trade with Indonesia.

People's Coalition Against Militarism: Rejects the decrees of MPR. President Habibie and Wiranto must resign, a new transitional government established and the MPR apologize to the people for failure to meet their aspirations.

The Federation of All Indonesian Trade Unions:Immediate investigations should be conducted into the tragedy and firm actions taken against those responsible. Former president Soeharto, his family members and cronies should be tried as a prerequisite to developing a clean, credible government.

Indonesia Education and Legal Aid Foundation: President Habibie and Wiranto must provide political and legal accountability over the tragedy.

The National Movement for Justice and National Unity: A thorough investigation must be conducted into the tragedy and the government, especially the Armed Forces, give reports of accountability of the atrocities. The Armed Forces should be held responsible for deploying civilian vigilantes against pro-reform demonstrators. The acts of violence against the demonstrators have negated the results of the MPR Special Session, which were actually fairly responsive to the people's aspirations.

Indonesian Students Parliament: The brutal acts of the security personnel are to be condemned. Equally contemptible is MPR Speaker Harmoko, who smilingly and enthusiastically chaired the final session while thousands of students and members of the public were showered by security personnel with a barrage of bullets only a short distance from the Assembly building.

United Development Party (PPP): The tragedy must be investigated thoroughly and the government, notably security apparatus, refrain from repressive acts. Warns "political brokers" against pitting one group of people against another for their vested interests. Calls on the people to remain united and to guard against provocative acts that could destroy the foundations of national unity and statehood.

Indonesian Bishops Council: Acts of oppression and brutality against people must be stopped. Students, as the bearer of moral force, should continue their fight for justice and all the people should help restore national life to a humane, just, civilized one that shuns any acts of violence, hatred and vengeance.

Indonesian Islamic Masyumi Party: All those responsible for the riots and violent acts on Nov. 12 to Nov. 14 must receive strict punishment. The five factions of the MPR failed to respond fully to the people's aspirations, thereby setting off a wave of street protest demonstrations. Habibie must appoint public figures and leaders of mass organizations as his advisers in a bid to enhance national reconciliation. Soeharto must be tried.

The Indonesian Moslem Forum: All acts of anarchy to topple the legitimate government must be condemned. The MPR must be fully supported. All Moslems should remain united and be alert to provocative acts. All people should desist from provocative acts which could foment violence. (vin)