Indonesia: Bizarre, absurd and deceitful

Indonesia: Bizarre, absurd and deceitful

I have been observing the situation in Indonesia and think it
is bizarre, absurd and deceitful. Just look at the following:

1. Some 12 student activists were kidnapped by Group IV of the
Army's special force (Kopassus). It is clear who the kidnappers
were, but until now, they have not been arrested. Another 14 had
mysteriously disappeared and the culprits are known.

2. The May 12 Trisakti incident. Four students were killed and
many others injured by bullets. It is clear the shooters were
members of the Armed Forces (ABRI) but to date, they have not
been caught.

3. On May 13 and May 14, huge riots broke out in Jakarta and
Surakarta. Thousands died, hundreds of shops and houses -- mostly
Chinese owned -- were destroyed and torched as well as hundreds
of motor vehicles. About 150 Chinese women were raped. A joint
fact-finding team has submitted its report but no steps have been
taken by the government or ABRI leaders.

4. The National Commission on Human Rights has reported its
investigation on ABRI operations in Aceh and Irian Jaya.
Thousands were killed and hundreds of women were raped. No steps
have been taken by the government or ABRI leaders.

5. More than 150 people allegedly practicing black magic in the
Banyuwangi area were killed in mysterious ways. Who was behind
the killings? The government or ABRI leaders have never clarified
the matter.

6. Bullets again. On Nov. 13, the Semanggi tragedy took place.
Students and other community members who demonstrated against the
Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly were shot
at indiscriminately by ABRI units. Fifteen died and hundreds were
injured. So far, the culprits have not been found.

7. On Nov. 22, riots erupted in Ketapang, Jakarta. Twelve
churches and schools were vandalized and burned down. Thirteen
people died. It is not clear who was behind the riots.

8. Eighteen community figures, among whom were retired generals
Kemal Idris and Ali Sadikin, Sri Edi Swasono, Sri Bintang
Pamungkas, Sukmawati Soekarnoputri and Permadi have been
interrogated by the police and charged with conspiracy. Probably
they will shortly be brought to court, only because they dared to
issue a joint communique that is seen as contrary to or against
the government. It is actually only a statement of a different
opinion. Or perhaps they were amid the demonstrating students and
are viewed as instigating the students.

The situation is really bizarre, absurd and deceitful.

SUHARSONO HADIKUSUMO

Jakarta