Ex-communists active again

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)