Former officials to be grilled over tragedy

JAKARTA (JP): The Military Police in cooperation with the National Police will question a number of former government officials under the then coordinating minister for political affairs and security in connection with the forcible takeover of the Indonesian Democratic Party's headquarters in 1996, an officer said on Monday.

Maj. Gen. Djasri Marin, chief of the Military Police Corps, said the former officials, who were part of former president Soeharto's Cabinet, were alleged to have supported the takeover, known as the July 27 incident, the date of its occurrence.

"The questioning will be conducted in the next two weeks," he said after accompanying Indonesian Military Chief Adm. Widodo A.S. in a hearing with the House of Representatives Commission I for defense, security and foreign affairs.

Djasri refused to identify the officials in question.

Subordinates of the coordinating minister for political affairs and security, the late Soesilo Soedarman, during the time of the takeover, were former home affairs minister Yogie S. Memet, former foreign minister Ali Alatas, former justice minister Oetojo Oesman, former defense minister Gen. (ret.) Edi Sudradjat, former armed forces chief Gen. (ret.) Feisal Tanjung, former National Police chief Gen. (ret.) Banurusman Astrosemitro and former attorney general Singgih.

Maj. Gen. Timor Putra Manurung, chief of the Indonesian Military Law Institute, said the attack on the PDI headquarters gained support from the state officials at a meeting two days before the incident.

"This is based on testimony of Maj. Gen. (ret.) Hamaminata who was the City Police chief at the time," Timor said. He added that the officials wrote their decision in a document.

Hamaminata who was questioned last week testified to the Military Police that the attack was based on the decision made in the July 25 meeting presided over by the late Soesilo.

The former police chief said the takeover was conducted by the Jakarta Military and City Police following instructions given by the former officials attending that meeting.

Sutiyoso, then Jakarta Military chief, said the attack was carried out upon an instruction from Soeharto. (rms)