Gus Dur's nod for arrest plan 'maneuver'

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)