Habibie commands Wiranto to be firm

JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie asked Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief/Minister of Defense and Security Gen. Wiranto on Saturday to take whatever actions necessary to deal with what he called acts of rebellion to bring down his government.

"I have given instructions (for him) to take firm actions in line with the existing law," Habibie said in a televised address, broadcast as riots broke out in Jakarta and several other towns.

Habibie said that certain groups in society have indulged in actions that are against the law and the constitution, mobilizing the masses to foil the implementation of new rules democratically enacted by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), with the aim of bringing down the legitimate government.

Their actions could be categorized as rebellion that endanger the unity, cohesion, and life of the nation, he said.

The MPR, in its Special Session on Friday, presented 12 decrees to Habibie, including one requiring him to organize a general election in May or June of next year.

Insisting that these decrees reflected the aspirations and expectations of the people, Habibie said that he intended to carry them out to the full. "For this to happen, we need peace and the support of the public," he said.

Habibie appealed to every citizen to remain alert against acts of provocation by certain groups of people bent on inciting unrest.

"The government appeals to public figures, mass organizations, civilian and military officials, to help calm the public so that they are not drawn into actions that could undermine the unity of the nation and disrupt our efforts to carry out the MPR decrees, the reform agenda and restart the wheels of economic development," he said.

Habibie used the televised address to express his condolences for various incidents that claimed people's lives. "On behalf of the government, I express our deepest condolences for these incidents." (emb)