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)