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)