Govt to rule on code for ex-detainees

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. disclosed yesterday that the government will rule this month on whether or not to do away with the controversial ex-Tapol (ET) code for former political detainees.

The policy of stamping ET on the ID cards of former political detainees linked to the now outlawed Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), and the attempted coup it engineered in 1965 , has been widely criticized as being highly discriminatory and a flagrant violation of human rights.

Critics say that the policy, introduced in the 1970s, should be abolished in the current spirit of reconciliation being promoted as Indonesia celebrates its 50th independence anniversary.

Yogie and other senior cabinet ministers were pressed by reporters on the issue before attending a monthly cabinet meeting led by President Soeharto yesterday.

"Insya Allah (God willing), there will be a decision before Aug. 17," he said.

"The matter has been studied for some time, in fact for a very long time, through consultations among related government agencies," Yogie explained.

The ET code has been stamped on the ID cards of hundreds of thousands of people released from detention and hard labor camps in the late 1970s.

Fearing a revival of communism in the country, the policy was originally intended to help the authorities monitor their movement and activities.

But the ET stamp has subsequently subjected many of the former detainees, and their children, to relentless discrimination, especially when looking for work.

Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung separately said yesterday that as far as he was concerned, "there's no problem" with abolishing the code.

"It is up to the Ministry of Home Affairs," said Feisal.

The demand to have the policy abolished gathered renewed force this week after the government made the first gesture of reconciliation with some of its former adversaries.

Last Friday, the government announced that President Soeharto had granted clemency to three political prisoners -- Soebandrio, Omar Dhani and Raden Soegeng Soetarto -- who were serving life sentences for their roles in the 1965 coup. The three, who have been incarcerated for nearly 30 years, will walk free after Aug. 15 as a result of the clemency.

Besides these three, more than a dozen political prisoners convicted for the 1965 coup are still in prison, with some facing execution. There has been no news about their release but some senior government officials said the possibility is being considered.

In the same spirit of national reconciliation, it has been suggested that the hundreds of Indonesians overseas, who have been living in exile for nearly three decades because of their PKI links, be allowed to return.

Like 81-year-old Soebandrio, who has asked to be allowed to die a free man, some of these former PKI members in exile have expressed a wish to die in their motherland.

Before the government can make a decision, Minister of Defense and Security Gen. (ret.) Edi Sudradjat suggested that those wishing to return should first submit formal requests.

"They should knock on the door, let us know that they want to come home. Then we will consider all aspects of their requests," Edi said.

Gen. Feisal was more blunt in his reply.

"We have a law here, and we have to uphold the law. We have to investigate their involvement (in the coup). If they were involved, they should be punished," Feisal said.

When asked if any compassion would be shown after 30 years, he replied: "The law still applies, even after 30 years. Those who put the nation in jeopardy should be investigated. Let the law determine if they are guilty or not."

Between 300 to 400 Indonesians with alleged ties to the PKI are believed to be living abroad as political exiles, many of whom have since become stateless citizens.

Among those exiles who have reportedly expressed a desire to return home are A.M. Hanafi, Sobron Aidit, Oemar Said. A. Soekrisno, and Djawoto. (emb)