Gus Dur regrets pro-government rally at MPR

Gus Dur regrets pro-government rally at MPR

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid expressed regret on
Tuesday for the pro-government rally staged by his supporters in
front of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) compound the
day before.

The President even blamed his younger brother, Hasyim Wahid,
better known as Gus Im, for organizing the Monday's rally, saying
that it would only "ruin" his position with the Assembly.

"I regret that there was a demonstration to support my
position and to express anger against the MPR," he told a media
conference at Bina Graha presidential office on Tuesday.

"I understand their anger and thank them for this. But, the
MPR might have thought that I organized the rally myself.

"But I didn't know anything about it," he said.

Over 1,000 demonstrators, belonging to various groups yelled
their support for President Abdurrahman during a rally in front
of the MPR compound on Monday.

Abdurrahman said the rally could negatively affect his
position as it would influence the decision-making process in
MPR.

"Although in many ways we may disagree with MPR, any
constructive ideas must be respected," he said.

"Criticism against the government should be respected, because
I see this as part of the effort to establish (a system of) check
and balance.

"If we look at this perspective, then we have to thank them
(MPR members) instead of blaming them," he said of the vehement
criticism since the opening of Annual Session last week.

Separately, National Police Chief Gen. Rusdihardjo said the
situation remained calm in the capital and the police would not
deploy more troops.

"The situation remains under control. We will not deploy more
troops to secure the MPR compound," Rusdihardjo told reporters at
the compound.

"We are still adopting persuasive measures against the
demonstrators. Even if they try to enter, we're going to lead
them out," he said.

Governor

Meanwhile, Governor Sutiyoso called on various elements to
avoid mass mobilization in the capital as such moves could lead
to social problems.

"If people want to voice their opinions, they can channel it
correctly without having to create social unrest in the capital,"
Sutiyoso told reporters on the sidelines of an inauguration
ceremony of officials for the Jakarta chapter of the Association
of the Indonesian Water Project Construction Firms (AKAINDO) at
City Hall.

The governor said the public should not pursue their own
agenda as it would negatively impact the country's image in the
international community.

"It's not an easy task to restore international confidence in
security and stability in the city," he said.

The ongoing Annual Session has been marred by protests
involving large numbers of people. On Tuesday, some 2,000
protesters grouped under the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI)
rallied at the MPR compound, demanding the inclusion of Islamic
law syariah in the 1945 Constitution.

Sutiyoso said Jakartans should restrain themselves and learn
from the May 1998 riots.

"We got nothing but worse conditions and more fear from the
May 1998 riots," he said.

Official reports said the three-day rioting in mid May 1998
cost 500 lives and left 5,000 buildings worth Rp 2.5 trillion
(US$301 million) damaged.

The governor told the public to entrust security matters to
the Jakarta Police, who were still in control of the city's
security.

Separately, the Commission for Missing Persons and the Victims
of Violence (Kontras) claimed on Tuesday that four protesters,
who staged a hunger strike in Monday's protest, had disappeared
since Monday evening.

The four, along with eight others, demanded the Assembly also
formulate a decree for agrarian reforms in the country.

While waiting for confirmation that their demand would be
inserted into the Annual Session's agenda, the activists, grouped
in the Consortium of Agrarian Reform (KPA), were arrested and
dragged into two ambulances, belonging to the Kramat Jati Police
Hospital.

The four were identified as Usep Setiawan, spokesman for the
protesters; Ashdam, Anton Sultan and Idham Kurniawan. All from
the West Java capital of Bandung.

Kontras chairman Munarman said Sr. Supt. Jhony and Supt. Said
Aqiel of the compound's security unit admitted on Monday that the
four were brought by the police and dropped somewhere along Jl.
Teuku Umar in Central Jakarta.

"The National Police, however, said on Tuesday that the police
didn't detain or do anything to the four men.

"The answer only shows the old arbitrary habit of the police,"
Munarman told a media conference.

"It's ironic that the Annual Season is supposed to uphold
democracy and honor the people's basic rights." (bby/byg/dja/lup)