Inaction in East Timor

Inaction in East Timor

Today in East Timor riots and violent acts committed by armed
militia are simply allowed to take place by the police, who are
actually responsible for security in the region. This reminds us
of the May 1998 riot, also seemingly allowed to happen. The
presence of the militia in East Timor has also reminded us of the
presence of armed vigilantes (pam swakarsa in Indonesian), who
were not only not swakarsa (self-initiated), because of their
military protection, but also contributed nothing to security
maintenance as they instead gave rise to disorder. Riots and
violence seemingly supported by the suspicious spirit of
militarism have never been thoroughly settled and the government
seems to be completely unwilling to settle this matter.

Obviously the turmoils occurring in various places in
Indonesia, like Aceh, Ambon and East Timor, are the result of the
absence of leadership and the distrust in the leaders in this
country. It seems that President Habibie and Minister of Defense
and Security Gen. Wiranto have not realized that they are
responsible for state security. They should at least feel ashamed
that the country is still rocked by riots and turmoils, a
condition indicating their incapability as leaders.

Unless they can find a thorough settlement to these problems,
the possibility that they will remain top leaders of this country
after the upcoming General Session of the People's Consultative
Assembly will become more remote.

Hopefully, people's representatives entrusted to elect the
next president will make their choice on the basis of popular
aspirations shown in the June general election and not on
political orchestration manipulating religious considerations, or
even on bribery.

AMIR SIDHARTA

Jakarta