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)