East Java braces for MPR special session

East Java braces for MPR special session

SURABAYA (JP): Three ministers traveled to East Java on
Thursday for talks with local leaders to try and avert violence
during the special session of People's Consultative Assembly
(MPR) in August.

The meeting, hosted by Governor Imam Utomo, was held between
Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs
Agum Gumelar, Minister of Defense Mahfud MD and Minister of Home
Affairs and Regional Autonomy Soerjadi Soedirdja and about 100
leaders from community and religious organizations and political
parties.

Also present at the closed-door meeting were Indonesian
Military Chief of Territorial Affairs Lt. Gen. Agus Widjojo and
top local military and police officers.

During a media conference following the meeting, Agum said he
and his colleagues visited East Java for a spot check ahead of
the MPR special session.

"The government would like to find out how the local community
will respond to the results of the political process, how we can
accommodate their aspirations and ponder the steps to be taken,"
he said.

Agum, who is also the Soccer Association of Indonesia
chairman, likened the special session to a soccer game for which
the field, referee and rules must be well prepared.

"We also want orderly supporters as required by the rules, and
all parties should sincerely accept the final outcome of the
game," he said.

Agum stated that he had asked the country's provincial leaders
to act firmly against any violations, according to all accepted
procedures.

Violence occurred in several town in East Java when the House
of Representatives resolved to call for the MPR special session
late in May.

President Abdurrahman Wahid was angered by the tough measures
the police applied to quell the violence, with at least one man
dying from police bullets. East Java is one of Abdurrahman's
strongholds.

Earlier on Thursday, the three ministers held talks with
provincial officials, regents, police precinct chiefs and
military district leaders.

Following the talks, a regent said Agum and Governor Imam
called on the regional administration to arrange contingency
plans in anticipation of violence during the MPR session.

"The minister stressed that regional leaders should be able to
safeguard the political process and the special session, while
preventing unwanted impacts. He said they should not hesitate to
deal strictly with violations of the law or acts of anarchy," he
said.

Ali Maschan Moesa, the chairman of the provincial branch of
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), said the recent unrest in the province was
a product of the political dispute in Jakarta, so "the root of
the problem must be dealt with".

Yusuf Hasyim, the head of an Islamic boarding school and the
President's uncle, said that whatever the result of the special
session the NU should remain committed to the cause of the
unitary state, "even if the President is brought down". (nur)