Govt abolishes Bakorstanas, 'litsus' system

Govt abolishes Bakorstanas, 'litsus' system

JAKARTA (JP): In another move aimed at promoting a civil
society and human rights principles, President Abdurrahman Wahid
decided on Wednesday to disband the military-controlled Agency
for the Coordination of Support for National Stability
Development (Bakorstanas).

Cabinet Secretary Marsilam Simanjuntak said the President also
decided for the same reasons to revoke a special screening
process, locally known as litsus, which was applied in the
recruitment and promotion of state officials and civil servants.

"The President considers Bakorstanas has caused trouble rather
than solved problems. The agency also created disorder both at
the central and regional levels," Marsilam said in a media
briefing that followed a Cabinet meeting at Bina Graha
presidential office.

Minister of Law and Legislation Yusril Ihza Mahendra and chief
of the State Intelligence Coordinating Board (Bakin) Lt. Gen.
Arie Kumaat also spoke at the briefing.

Through Presidential Decree No. 29, dated Sept. 5, 1988, then
president Soeharto established Bakorstanas to replace the
notorious Restoration of Security and Public Order Command
(Kopkamtib), which he set up in 1974. Gen. Benny Moerdani was the
last military chief to hold the top Kopkamtib post.

According to the 1988 presidential decree, the nonstructural
agency is assigned to coordinate ministries and other government
institutions to develop national stability, and to collect
information on the possibility of the emergence of obstacles and
challenges to national stability.

The armed forces chief is the ex-officio chairman of the
agency, assisted by permanent members from ministries, Army,
Navy, the Air Force, National Police, the attorney general and
Bakin.

Then military chief Gen. Try Sutrisno was the first head of
the agency.

At the regional level, regional military command (Kodam)
chiefs head the agency's provincial divisions.

Bakorstanas was long regarded by many as an oppressive
military agency which did not differ from Kopkamtib.

Yusril said the President ordered the Indonesian Military
(TNI) chief to disband Bakorstanas within one month.

Arie expressed confidence that Bakin and other intelligence
agencies would be capable of anticipating and guarding against
threats to the country.

"We must make more comprehensive observations both inside and
outside the country before declaring someone to be the enemy of
the state. We cannot merely brand someone with different opinions
than us as our enemy," Arie said.

Yusril said the abolition of Presidential Decree No. 22, dated
April 17, 1990, meant that civil servants, politicians and state
officials were no longer subject to the screening procedure
before assuming their new posts. Job seekers also are no longer
obliged to produce documents attesting to their good conduct.

The minister said the screening was traumatic for society and
often victimized innocent people, including politicians and
soldiers, because there were no clear standards and procedures
governing the process.

The screening was essentially aimed at checking whether
someone was a member of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) or
other illegal organizations, or was linked to them through their
kin or by association.

The examination was conducted by relevant government agencies,
including ministries, state agencies and the military.
Legislative candidates, journalists and others holding
politically sensitive positions were also subject to screening.

"We must return to the principles of law, that everyone is
assumed innocent until he/she is proven guilty," said Yusril.

The Committee for the Release of Political Prisoners (KAP T/N)
hailed the government's decision as a significant step toward
democratization. In a statement signed by its coordinator, Gustaf
Dupe, the committee asked the government to rehabilitate victims
of the two old decrees and amend all laws that were deemed to be
against democratic principles. (prb)