Dismiss civilian forces: Observers

JAKARTA (JP): Political observers supported on Monday Amien Rais' recent call for the dissolution of militias of supporters of presidential candidates Megawati Soekarnoputri and B.J. Habibie.

Nurcholish Madjid, Syamsuddin Haris and Muhammad A.S. Hikam, all researchers at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), separately told The Jakarta Post that it was the responsibility of political leaders to restrain their supporters and to take firm action against dismissing the militias.

"It is imperative that the civilian militias are dissolved," Hikam said.

"The existence of militias is illegal... the political leaders should take firm action and control their militia supporters," Nurcholis said.

Amien urged on Sunday the dismissal of civilian militias ahead of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) session to prevent clashes between supporters of different presidential candidates. He cited a number of supporter groups, such as Lasykar Tengkorak (The Skull Legion) and Barisan Mati Megawati (Willing to Die for Megawati Soldiers) on one side, and Lasykar Jihad (Jihad Legion) and Pasukan Jihad (Jihad Army), which support Habibie on the other. Many such groups have threatened to come to Jakarta to pressure legislators to favor their candidate.

Amien said it was not democratic to use the power of the masses against other groups. He urged political leaders to restrain and educate their supporters wisely.

Syamsuddin blamed the political elite who failed to exercise self-restraint in their comments, which then invited their supporters to do anything for their leaders.

"The political leaders should disseminate their political agenda in a peaceful manner and environment," Syamsuddin said. "If there was no politicization of certain issues, there wouldn't be any militia supporters."

Syamsuddin also said that if the militias refused to dissolve and threatened public security, the authorities should then take over the matter and take proper action against them.

He also urged impartial and fair treatment toward both camps.

Hikam described the national politics as currently being dominated by proreform forces fighting for their agenda. Uncertainty becomes the order of the day, and those standing in the prostatus quo camp would then have to take action to defend their power.

"There is no need for political violence," Hikam said, reminding the public in general and urging political supporters to trust the political system and principles to accommodate their aspirations.

He also urged leaders to prevent the use of violence by supporters, and the establishment of other militias for their interest. (06)