Gen. (ret) Wiranto, Adi Sasono, Fuad Bawazier and Eros Djarot

Gen. (ret) Wiranto, Adi Sasono, Fuad Bawazier and Eros Djarot
have been accused of being behind the recent student
demonstrations. However, it is not easy to judge the validity of
the State Intelligence Body (BIN)'s report on this, which it
unveiled during a hearing with the House of Representatives last
week.

Wiranto, former coordinating minister for political and
security affairs, has denied the accusation.

The four men do have a different political stance from that of
the government. And being critical and helping student
demonstrations is not against the law. Things become serious if
these activities are translated as an effort to topple the
government. BIN also reported about the students' plan to
escalate their demonstrations, which is feared would lead to
chaos.

Intelligence agencies should not be used to help the
government stay in power and protect it from attack by its
(political) rivals. Intelligence reports such as the one from BIN
are dangerous and damaging to the reputation of the "accused".

Wiranto has said that the report (on him) was completely false
and character assassination. Wiranto and the other three
"accused" should channel their denials to House Commission I
during a special hearing.

Apart from the accusations in the intelligence report, Wiranto
is a controversial figure linked (directly or indirectly) to a
series of violent incidents. This includes the violence in East
Timor following the independence referendum there, for which he
should be held responsible.

-- Koran Tempo, Jakarta

Democratic civilization

Criticism, opposition and demonstrations are not against the
law in democracies. Politicians making use of the recent
situation here for their own political interests also is legal.
The most important thing for politicians is whether or not they
can feel the pulse of the people.

In such a situation as we have here, politicians, both from
the government and the opposition, must be intelligent about
consoling the people. Those ruling the country also should have a
clear yardstick for monitoring the opposition. As long as those
opposing the government's policies are not trying to topple the
government, the government should not take any action against
them. Accusing the opposition (of subversion) is a contra-
productive move. The terms "mastermind" and "being behind" were
old terms used by the New Order regime.

Gen. (ret) Wiranto, one of four people accused of being behind
the recent student demonstrations, has called on the political
elite not to spread more defamation. The problem is, does Wiranto
really not know anything about the student demonstrations? What
about a series of meeting he attended? He should be honest if he
funded the student demonstrations, because funding demonstrations
is not a sin. But if he is "clean" the country is obviously full
of defamation and slander.

-- Republika, Jakarta

Floods are menacing

In early February last year, heavy rain submerged many parts
of the capital, including areas that had never before touched by
flood waters. The flooding claimed many lives and crippled the
capital for days.

Thousands of people had to spend nights in their vehicles or
in roadside shelters because the roads to their homes were
underwater.

Now, one year later, we are again entering February and heavy
rains are expected. The peak of the rainy season for Greater
Jakarta is expected to be in February.

Gunawan Ibrahim, head of the Meteorology and Geophysics
Agency, has warned people to be alert as the soil will not be
able to absorb excessive rain water. He said preparation and
precaution are necessary to anticipate the flooding.

-- Warta Kota, Jakarta