Govt's new stance over riot hailed

JAKARTA (JP): Observers welcomed yesterday the government's decision to follow up with renewed vigor the National Commission on Human Rights' recommendation on the July 27 riots last year.

Political observer Arbi Sanit, usually known for his critical views on many government policies, and lawyer R.O. Tambunan separately praised yesterday the government's stance. The two agreed that the position brought the hope of settling the leadership dispute of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), as well.

Arbi, a lecturer at University of Indonesia's School of Social and Political Sciences, noted that there has been a shift in the government's treatment of PDI, from supporting one faction, to becoming neutral.

"Megawati's camp now has room to breath, although (the new development) is still in the bigger political interest of the government," said Arbi.

Arbi was referring to PDI chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri who was ousted by her rival, Soerjadi, in a government-backed breakaway party congress in Medan, North Sumatra, in June last year.

The dispute peaked when a military-backed forced takeover of PDI headquarters by Soerjadi's camp from Megawati's loyal supporters occurred on July 27. The incident triggered massive rioting in Central Jakarta which left five dead, 16 people missing and dozens of buildings burned.

The National Commission on Human Rights investigated the incident and issued a recommendation on a series of actions the government should take, including a search for the missing people and serving Soerjadi and his supporters with due legal process.

The government declared in July this year that the case was "over". The rights commission, insisting that the case was still unsolved, convinced the government in a meeting on Thursday to continue with efforts to unearth the truth behind the incident.

Arbi said it was "very likely" that Soerjadi and his supporters would be brought in for police questioning or brought to court.

Slow process

However, Arbi speculated that the process would be painstakingly long. "It will be a slow process that will conclude only after the presidential election next year," adding that the process would only be a political move on the part of the government to bar Megawati from making significant maneuvers of her own before the election.

Arbi said the government's promise to continue with the case served another purpose, namely showing the international community that it was "doing something".

Tambunan, who is chief lawyer for Megawati's legal campaign against her rivals, said his team would soon write to Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman requesting that the government's words be turned into action.

He charged that despite the team's previous requests, the government had yet to "thoroughly investigate" the July 27 incident.

He said the case could not be considered closed just like that because it takes 12 years for criminal cases to be declared outdated. (aan)