Ex-communists active again

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: The Armed Forces (ABRI) says that a number of people arrested here for attempting to establish an Islamic state are former communists.

Chief for ABRI General Affairs department Let. Gen. Soeyono told The Jakarta Post yesterday that an "extremist movement" had been spreading in the towns of Banyumas, Purwokerto, Tegal, Pekalongan, Boyolali, Kartasura and Karanganyar as well as Yogyakarta.

Soeyono also said that he was informed about the activities last year while he was still chief of the regional military command.

"(The incumbent) military commander Maj. Gen. Yusuf Kartanegara has succeeded in containing the extremist movement," he said.

Soeyono explained that documents found in the possession of the alleged secessionists showed that they planned to set up a so-called Indonesian Islamic State (NII) which was to cover Central Java and Yogyakarta.

Soeyono said the movement usually targeted people whose "faith is still weak" and could be influenced easily. Around 200 villagers of Karangendep, Patikraja sub-district, Banyumas, have reportedly "disappeared" since becoming disciples of one of the movement's "teachers". (wah/swe)