Habibie repeats communism alert

Habibie repeats communism alert

JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie reiterated on Thursday
his warning of a communist threat, Marhaenism and socialism --
which some people dub "Komas".

In a meeting with a group of youths at Merdeka Palace, Habibie
said the ideologies remained a threat to the nation, according to
State Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Agung Laksono.

Marhaenism was coined by the late founding president, Sukarno.
Derived from the name of a poor farmer, Marhaen, Sukarno used the
name to describe his thoughts on a range of ideologies. The
expression bears emotional connotations for supporters of the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), whose
leader is Sukarno's daughter Megawati Soekarnoputri, and several
other parties which call themselves Marhaen.

"But it does not mean... that Marhaenism has become
communism, or that it has been infiltrated, but we need to remain
alert," Agung quoted the President as telling members of Trikora
Youth.

On Monday, Habibie warned of a "Komas" threat, saying its
proponents continued a campaign to topple the government.

"We do not want to accuse (antigovernment campaigners) of
becoming communists, but they might have been (influenced)
through Marhaenism," said the minister.

Six groups of university student organizations, including the
Indonesian Muslim Student Association in Purwokerto, Central
Java, sent a letter to Habibie, condemning his statement.

Golkar Party Deputy chairman Marzuki Darusman said Habibie's
unclear political commitments, including his recent statement
about the possible reawakening of communism, Marhaenism and
socialism, would adversely affect his chance of becoming Golkar's
presidential candidate from 1999 to 2004.

"Golkar's leadership meeting will take Habibie's unclear
political commitment into consideration when it discusses his
nomination as the party's presidential candidate," Marzuki said.

Golkar has put Habibie among the top five preferred
presidential candidates. The other nominees are Minister of
Defense and Security/Indonesian Military chief Gen. Wiranto,
Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung, Yogyakarta Governor Sri
Sultan Hamengkubuwono X and Coordinating Minister for Economy,
Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita.

Marzuki has for sometime been expressing an opposing stance on
the matter from Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung. While Akbar
insists Habibie is the party's strongest candidate, Marzuki
clearly favors Wiranto.

Marzuki acknowledged Habibie has not appeared serious in his
investigation into former president Soeharto's alleged corrupt,
collusive and nepotistic practices during his 32-year rule.

"Habibie has conducted an incomplete investigation into
Soeharto and his fortune and this has disappointed the people,"
Marzuki said.

He said Habibie's recent warning of a communist threat and
Marhaenism and socialism had drawn negative reactions from the
public.

"This statement and the public's reactions may be not a
problem for Habibie himself, but it will be important input for
Golkar in rejecting his candidacy.

"To me, Habibie has a pleasant personality, but I cannot
accept everything he says and talks about."

Marzuki said Golkar's central board would hold a plenary
session Friday (today) to decide whether the leadership meeting
would be held before or after the elections.

The leadership meeting will decide on only one of the five
nominees as the party's presidential candidate. (prb/edt/rms/45)