Leaders of youth organizations warn Gus Dur's supporters

JAKARTA (JP): Leaders of major youth organizations warned supporters of President Abdurrahman Wahid not to engage in any anarchic activity as they would be ready to take counter actions during the special session of the People's Consultative Assembly on August 1.

Najamuddin Ramly, chairman of the Muhammadiyah Youth Movement, Yorris Raweyai, who chairs the Pemuda Pancasila youth group, Fahri Hamzah and senior leaders of the Indonesian Muslim Students Action Front (KAMMI) voiced their warning during a discussion here on Tuesday.

"Who will take to the streets (to hold protest) ahead of the special session? I think only supporters of Gus Dur while other groups will remain on alert," Najamuddin said, referring to President Abdurrahman Wahid.

Najamuddin stressed that senior figures of Muhammadiyah have reiterated their stance against any violence and anarchy, particularly during the special session.

"My friends will only observe Gus Dur's supporters and if they are overreacting, we will then take action," Najamuddin added, without elaborating.

The presence of Yorris in the meeting attracted attention. Yorris is known for his strong support of former president Soeharto and Golkar. He also openly shows his sympathy to the Free Papua Movement (OPM).

Yorris belittled the strength of Abdurrahman's supporters. "They are mainly based in East Java. If they are enraged, let their anger be expressed in East Java which is only one of our 31 provinces anyway," he said.

"Even if they do come to Jakarta, few of them can afford that. Here we have thousands of people who have had enough of violence and are ready to quash them," Yorris maintained.

Yorris also pointed out that Pemuda Pancasila cadres would also be deployed during the special session "to help security forces to maintain order in the capital."

Speaking of controlling the masses, Fahri Hamzah underlined that KAMMI would refrain from staging rallies during the special session.

He said the reaction of the masses depended on the leadership of the organizations.

Fahri stressed that he had warned his juniors in his organization to keep on track as "a student moral and pressure movement."

"They will not take sides either with Abdurrahman or his opponents. We will quash those against democracy, justice and human rights.

Political observer Denny J.A., who also attended the meeting, however warned the organization leaders not to be provoked by any actions of Abdurrahman's supporters.

"The supporters of Abdurrahman will definitely show their force and security forces will have difficulty handling them," he said." (emf)