July 27 riot case remains unsolved: Right commission
JAKARTA (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights insisted that the case of the July 27, 1996, bloody riots in Jakarta, in which five people were killed, remained unsolved.
"The case is still in court," commission chairman Munawir Sjadzali told the press after attending a bimonthly meeting with Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman and senior military officers.
The forcible takeover of Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) headquarters by supporters of government-backed chairman Soerjadi from those of ousted leader Megawati Soekarnoputri on July 27 last year led to major riots that spread rapidly throughout Central Jakarta.
Following its investigation into the incident, the commission reported in October that five people died in the rioting, 149 were injured and 23 others were missing. It recommended a series of actions including a search for the missing people.
The government earlier said that the number of casualties was four and that there was nobody missing from the melee.
Last July, when Megawati supporters wanted to organize an event to commemorate the incident, Soesilo and Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. said the case had long been over.
When asked if the case was regarded as over and if there was disagreement between the government and the rights commission, Sjadzali said there was no disagreement.
The commission also scaled down its account of missing people. It said seven of the 23 people earlier reported missing had been found, leaving 16 still being sought by the police.
"The commission believes they are still alive and are probably only afraid to go home," Sjadzali said.
The government not only accepted the commission's account on the number of people killed, but also renewed its pledge to reveal the truth behind the incident.
In addition, the government promised to be more responsive toward commission recommendations for dispute settlements in the future, Munawir said.
Commission deputy chairman Marzuki Darusman said that it was now the responsibility of the police and the government to solve the case.
"We hope the government's handling of the (case) will be reasonable and accepted by the public," he said.
Marzuki said that by last month, the rights commission had issued 84 letters to regional administrations, 54 to Armed Forces headquarters, 23 to the Ministry of Manpower, 29 to the National Land Agency and 71 to other institutions and private sectors. The letters consisted of a recommendation on steps to be taken to settle disputes or rights violations.
"However, only 10 cases reported to regional administrations, five cases to the Armed Forces, eight cases to the manpower ministry and five cases to other institutions have been settled," Marzuki said.
The meeting, chaired by Soesilo Soedarman, was attended by chief of the State Intelligence Coordinating Board Moetojib, Jakarta Regional Military Command Chief Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso and deputy chief of Jakarta Police Brig. Gen. Gunawan.
The rights commission delegation included deputy chairwoman Miriam Budiardjo, secretary-general Baharuddin Lopa and members Muladi, Bambang W. Soeharto and Djoko Sugianto. (imn)