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)