Government critics ask Soeharto to step down
Government critics ask Soeharto to step down
JAKARTA (JP): A group of 44 leading government critics,
including Amien Rais, senior journalist Goenawan Mohamad and
senior economist Emil Salim, established the Majelis Amanah
Rakyat (Council for People's Mandate) last night and demanded
President Soeharto resign.
"For the sake of this nation and for a smooth and peaceful
reform toward democracy, we call on President Soeharto to step
aside," the council said in a statement read by Amien Rais,
chairman of the 28-million-strong Muhammadiyah Moslem
organization.
The council also called on security forces to avoid repressive
actions when dealing with the ongoing reform movement.
"Only persuasive approaches will prevent a worsening of the
situation," it said.
The council also called on university students, the young
generation and the people in general to seriously and immediately
work to restore the nation to normalcy.
Asked what the council would do should President Soeharto
express a readiness to step down, Amien said they would first
approach the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the Armed
Forces (ABRI) and leaders of the three political organizations to
decide on follow-up measures.
"None of the elements in society, including ABRI, can work to
improve the nation alone," he said.
Other members of the council include human rights activists
Albert Hasibuan and Adnan Buyung Nasution, astronomer and
philosopher Karlina Leksono and former Jakarta governor Ali
Sadikin.
The council also listed senior economists Frans Seda and
Sumitro Djojohadikoesoemo -- whose son is married to Soeharto's
daughter Siti Hediati -- former Supreme Court justice Adi Andojo
Soetjipto, former cabinet minister Siswono Yudohusodo, Moslem
preachers Mustofa Bisri and Nurcholish Madjid, Catholic priest
Frans Magnis Soeseno, businessman Arifin Panigoro and scholars
Ichlasul Amal, Saparinah Sadli and A. Syafii Maarif.
The council, however, failed to include two leading pro-
democracy movement activists -- Megawati Soekarnoputri and
Abdurrahman Wahid -- as members.
"We tried to contact them up to the last minute, but they
could not be reached," Amien said. (imn)