ICMI to set up team to study riots
ICMI to set up team to study riots
SURABAYA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Moslem
Intellectuals, under President Soeharto's instruction, is setting
up a team to study campaign-related riots.
The association's secretary-general, Adi Sasono, said here
over the weekend the organization is still discussing details but
believes that it will be able to complete the tasks it set out to
do within two months.
The association, known by its Indonesian acronym ICMI, will
announce the result of its study, when closing the organization's
seventh annual meeting Saturday.
Adi said he could not yet mention the names of people to be
included in the team, but said they would be expert members of
ICMI and other intellectual associations. The team would also
cooperate with other non-governmental organizations, with the
National Commission on Human Rights, and universities.
The team would seek the assistance of witnesses at the site of
the riots, including South Kalimantan's capital of Banjarmasin,
the Central Java town of Pekalongan, and Bangil in East Java.
According to official data, 273 people were killed during the
election campaign, which started on April 27 and concluded on May
23.
The figure excludes casualties of the May 23 riot in
Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, where a fire in two shopping
centers and a department store claimed the lives of 123 people.
Seventy-seven others have been reported missing following the
riot, which burned hundreds of shops, houses, supermarkets,
cinemas and churches. The riot was sparked by a clash between
supporters of the PPP and Golkar.
Riots broke out in many provinces during the 27-day campaign.
The clashes mostly involved supporters of the Moslem-based United
Development Party (PPP) and those of the dominant Golkar or
security forces.
Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief of Sociopolitical Affairs Lt. Gen.
Syarwan Hamid said recently that several "intellectual
masterminds" behind the riots had been arrested. He also said
ABRI was conducting an intensive investigation to find the people
behind the riots.
Adi said the team would analyze and draw up its report after
completing the study, as well as hold a discussion with experts
and on-site witnesses. The team would be objective in its study
and recommend alternatives to the current format of election
campaigning.
"The next election campaign should emphasize dialog so that
nobody holds street rallies and agitates others to riot," said
Adi.
Chairman of the association, B.J Habibie, said in his opening
speech Friday the riots could tarnish the image of modern and
moderate Indonesian Moslems. ICMI rejects change through
revolution because it would cost people a great deal, he said.
(nur/11)