Gus Dur cool on establishment of MAR

Gus Dur cool on establishment of MAR

JAKARTA (JP): A new alliance of civilian leaders was
established yesterday, grouping prominent government critics such
as Abdurrahman Wahid, Amien Rais and Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Forum Kerja Indonesia (FKI) or Indonesia Working Forum also
boasts the support of activists Zoemrotin K.S., Asmara Nababan,
Bambang Widjoyanto, Emmy Hafild and Nursyahbani Katjasungkana.

The group of 40 was the second to be established in as many
days, after the Majelis Amanah Rakyat (Council for the People's
Mandate) led by Amien Rais. This particular group, which claims
the support of senior economist Frans Seda and scholars Saparinah
Sadli, Ichlasul Amal and A. Syafii Maarif, has already been
accused of being a "shadow government".

Many of the names listed as members of FKI, such as poet and
Moslem scholar Mustofa Basri, are part of MAR.

The FKI was established at a gathering at Gedung Joang in
Central Jakarta, signed by Emmy Hafild, Zulkifli Halim, Megawati
(the ousted chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party, PDI)
and Abdurrahman Wahid, who is the chairman of the 30-million-
strong Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Moslem organization.

A space reserved for Amien Rais, who is also chairman of the
28 million-strong Muhammadiyah Moslem organization, remained
empty. Amien himself had earlier said he endorsed the plan for
FKI and that he himself sought the support of Abdurrahman and
Megawati for the establishment of MAR.

In a statement, FKI explained the rationale behind its
establishment, including mobilizing the support of people of all
backgrounds in the effort to alleviate public suffering.

"As of now, the Forum is opening itself to all proreform
forces and the people in general to move together toward the
revival of a diverse, democratic Indonesia that respects people's
sovereignty," said the statement.

"There are limits to people's ability to shoulder suffering.
Friction among the elite group in their search for support among
people has begun to be felt," the group said. "In this situation,
it is the people who become victims and suffer losses.

"We need reform in all aspects and dimensions of people's
lives."

FKI, as had MAR, also said it "appreciated" the reported
intention of President Soeharto to step aside in order to allay
the worsening suffering of the people and to restore confidence
in Indonesia. There have been several official denials of the
widely reported statement.

FKI also said: "The Armed Forces (ABRI) was given birth to by
the people, it should stay with the people and must therefore not
obstruct the people's endeavor to voice their aspiration.

"Keeping in mind the people's suffering, we call on all
Indonesians to stand together, not to hurt each other."

It also urged all people "to voice their aspirations
peacefully through legislative councils across Indonesia."

MAR

Earlier in the day, however, Abdurrahman, questioned the claim
of MAR's founders that they represented Indonesians seeking
reform.

"Many groups in society are not represented at MAR," said
Abdurrahman, who is popularly known as Gus Dur.

Claiming to have the support of prominent public figures such
as senior journalist Goenawan Mohamad, MAR immediately issued
three demands, the first of which was the resignation of
President Soeharto.

"If MAR has its own political agenda, there's no objection
here. But is it true it is representing all of us? Oh, wait just
a minute," said Abdurrahman.

"If it claims it represents the whole people, it can. The
President can (make the same claim) too. Here, Pak Harto says he
is the president because all of the people elected him, so he
(says he) represents the people," Abdurrahman said.

Amien established the council along with 43 other government
critics, although some later claimed they had not been contacted
before their names were included on the list. Among the latter
group was human rights campaigner Hendardi.

In an address to reporters following the establishment of MAR
on Thursday, Amien said: "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 also implored security forces to avoid repressive
actions when dealing with the ongoing reform movement. It also
called on university students, the younger generation and the
people in general to seriously and immediately work to restore
the nation to normalcy.

Other members of the council include human rights activist
Albert Hasibuan, astronomer and philosopher Karlina Leksono and
former Jakarta governor Ali Sadikin.

The council also listed senior journalist Fikri Jufri, senior
economists Frans Seda and Sumitro Djojohadikoesoemo -- whose son,
Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto, is married to Soeharto's daughter Siti
Hediati -- former Supreme Court justice Adi Andojo Soetjipto,
former cabinet minister Siswono Yudohusodo, Moslem scholar
Nurcholish Madjid, and Catholic priest Frans Magnis Soeseno.

Denial

Separately yesterday, Prabowo, the chief of the Army Strategic
Command, said the council was unconstitutional if its
establishment was meant to confront the government.

He also expressed opposition to the establishment of the
council if it was meant to serve as a "shadow government".

Prabowo also denied that his father participated in or
supported the Council. He said he had confirmed with his father
that the latter had never been contacted by any MAR member
beforehand.

"I called him this morning. He said he was not involved,"
Prabowo was quoted by Antara as saying.

Amien, in an address to a gathering of thousands of Moslems at
the Grand Mosque Al Azhar, said MAR was established as a moral
force rather than to counter the government.

"It's meant as a venue (for people) to struggle for justice
and democracy in Indonesia," he said. "The council is open for
everybody who shares the same wish to struggle for justice and
democracy."

The council was set up to "raise our 'moral fist' to those
whose ears have become deaf to the aspirations of the people," he
said. "This is an organization which crosses religious, ethnic
and racial divides."

He reiterated that it was now no longer the time for social
groups to go it alone in the struggle to build the future.

"I apologize because I did not have the opportunity to consult
my friends (before establishing the organization)," he
added. (byg/swe/aan)