Gus Dur's nod for arrest plan 'maneuver'

JAKARTA (JP): Political observers speculated on Sunday that President Abdurrahman Wahid's approval for the arrest of certain legislators is a political maneuver to secure his position and a show of force in the lead-up to the general session of the People's Consultative Assembly in August.

They, however, suggested that the move could be purely related to law enforcement against the aggravating sectarian conflict in Maluku, which has racked the islands for 18 months.

Kusnanto Anggoro of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) told The Jakarta Post that Abdurrahman had to show his teeth "in the face of a very critical situation" at the August general session.

"That's the way he raises power ahead of the general session, where he has to take on a very risky situation. This is just a show of force," Kusnanto said.

He said Abdurrahman's relations with political parties are dwindling as reflected in the House of Representatives' overwhelming support for an interpellation motion to seek the President's explanation of his controversial policies, including the latest dismissal of his Cabinet ministers.

In a quite parallel response, the dean of the School of Social and Political Sciences of the University of Indonesia, Muhammad Budyatna, deemed that Abdurrahman is trying to stave off criticism against him prior to the general session.

"Abdurrahman moves to put pressure on the legislators in exchange for their persistent criticism that has left him on the receiving end. This is a political maneuver in anticipation of the worst scenario in which the interpellation motion will finally lead to the Assembly special session," Budyatna said.

He said it was also very likely that the arrest plan was part of a thorough settlement of sectarian clashes in Maluku, which has so far claimed more than 3,000 lives since it first erupted in January 1999.

Defense minister Juwono Sudarsono has repeatedly stated that certain people from Jakarta are masterminding the ongoing conflict in Maluku. He admitted, however, it was difficult to supply evidence for the allegation.

Opinion war

A different angle was offered by political communication expert Deddy Djamaludin Malik, who said the President is launching a war of public opinion.

He said Abdurrahman unveiled the arrest plan in defense of members of the House who had been attacking him, "especially with their support for an interpellation motion ahead of the Assembly session next August."

"Gus Dur intends to tell the people that the government's weaknesses and mistakes cannot be accountable only to the Cabinet," Deddy from Padjadjaran University said in reference to the President.

"Through his statement, the President wants to create an image among the people that he is not the only one to blame."

Deddy said it was easily understandable why Abdurrahman used such an informal forum as the dialog in Kuta, Bali.

"Gus Dur did not need to comply with the legal procedures that require him, when he has evidence, to report it to the police. It is the police who have the rights to arrest those who are found guilty," Deddy said.

Abdurrahman chose the forum in Bali "perhaps because he does not have adequate legal evidence."

He suggested that the President be more careful when speaking. "He is risking his reputation if no concrete steps follow his statements. People will be more aware of what he says about something which does not exist."

Deddy said the move was evidence that the President is not ready to face criticism from the House which is carrying out its function to control the executives.

He also called on the President to get tough with his contenders in the coming Assembly session.

"The annual session is not a forum to attack each other. It should bridge a two-way communication between the legislative and executive," he said.

Also in Bandung, another Padjadjaran University expert, Rusadi Kantaprawira, warned Gus Dur that his statements could be interpreted by many as an attempt to frighten his critics.

"His statements are linked to the fact that he (the President), as of July 1, has the full authority and control of the national police. In this way he could abuse his authority in a political game," Rusadi said.

However, Kusnanto asserted that Abdurrahman's move could be justified as long as the investigation process is conducted in a transparent manner. He said Abdurrahman has to immediately rehabilitate those who are proven not guilty.

"As long as the summon is in accordance with the law and conducted transparently with a rehabilitation mechanism for those who are proven to be innocent, then it will be okay," Kusnanto remarked. (25/dja/sur)