Habibie to chair security council's first meeting

JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie will chair the first meeting of the Council for Enforcement of Security and Law on Thursday. The refusal of two prominent organizations to join the security council will not affect the plan, a minister said on Tuesday.

Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung said he had reported the refusal of the Indonesian Bishops Council (KWI) and National Commission on Human Rights to the President.

"There is no plan to replace them," Akbar said after meeting with Habibie at Merdeka Palace.

The council, established last month but whose existence was made public only a month later, is aimed at controlling and coordinating efforts to resolve the crisis threatening national stability.

The chairman of the rights commission, Marzuki Darusman, initially supported the creation of the council although he complained that he was not consulted before the President issued the decree last month. Marzuki changed his stance last week after chairing the commission plenary session, and said it was not appropriate for the independent body to join the team.

The bishops council said that the church was not allowed to get involved in political and state affairs, and that it had not been informed prior to the establishment of the security council.

Earlier this year, the bishops council angered then president Soeharto when it refused to donate gold to the government's program to help the poor. The church opted to directly buy food and give it to the poor.

Critics argued Habibie should optimize his Cabinet rather than employing the 34-strong council which comprises 23 Cabinet ministers, the National Police chief, and the head of the Intelligence Coordinating Body (Bakin) along with the leaders of the five religious organizations.

The appointment of Minister of Defense/Armed Forces Chief Gen. Wiranto as the chairman of a smaller executive committee was also widely criticized. Critics alleged both Habibie and Wiranto will use the council to strengthen their positions.

"During the first meeting Gen. Wiranto will brief the participants on the plan to establish the Ratih (Rakyat Terlatih or civilian militia)," said Akbar.

The government was forced to delay its plan to set up a civilian militia after coming in for mounting public opposition. It agreed to submit the bill on trained civilians for the legislature's consideration next month.

Meanwhile, the Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM) said in a yearend review on human rights on Tuesday that the government must annul the establishment of the security council.

"Political decisions which would institutionalize the use of violence must be revoked," ELSAM said in a five page review.

It also demanded that the Armed Forces (ABRI) revoke its plan to establish the 70,000 strong civilian militia as this would only heighten the potential for conflict within a society which has in recent months seen rioting, clashes and protests. (prb/byg)