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