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)