Many seek Wiranto's resignation

JAKARTA (JP): Shock turned to grief, and fear turned to anger.

Many people pointed their fingers at Armed Forces Chief Gen. Wiranto as the person most responsible for the Friday the 13th tragedy, or what some people call Black Friday.

The pitched battles between unarmed protesters, mostly students, and soldiers on Jakarta's main streets on Friday, horrified many people in the country who watched the tragedy unfolding right before their eyes, courtesy of the aggressive private television networks.

Many people watched in disbelief the scenes of young people screaming amid the sound of cracking guns, running for cover as soldiers, supported by light tanks, armored cars and water cannons, charged at them and opened fire.

The Jakarta Post counted at least 12 deaths, including six students and four members of the pro-government militia deployed to deal with student protesters. Hundreds of people were injured, some seriously.

Messages of condolences and condemnations poured in from many public figures and organizations on Saturday.

Many pinned the blame on the government of President B.J. Habibie, and more specifically on Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief Gen. Wiranto, the man most responsible for the security arrangements during last week's Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

The following are excerpts from some of these messages:

Amien Rais, chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN): "As the highest person in the ABRI hierarchy, Wiranto should take the blame for the violence. He must resign immediately. The soldiers should have sided with the people, because they're the people's soldiers ... The people can't take it anymore."

Amien blasted the MPR members for "jesting and laughing as the people were being shot at outside of the building".

Megawati Soekarnoputri, chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) Perjuangan: "We strongly condemn the violence that killed the nation's children. We deplore the actions of the security apparatus that went beyond the limit of their responsibility as fighters and defenders of the people."

"We want to remind those in power and the ABRI leadership that this kind of tragedy has tarnished the international image of our democracy, and worsened the credibility of the government in the eyes of the people of Indonesia."

The National Commission on Human Rights: "We appeal for an end to the use of violence by the security apparatus in maintaining order, and by the students and the public at large, so that the excesses of brutality can be prevented."

"We ask the government immediately to give an explanation of the reasons and consequences, as well as a report of accountability, to the public at large for the Nov. 13 incident, because many of its explanations differ from the reality found in the field."

The Anti-Violence against Women Commission, Mitra Perempuan and Lotus Foundation, in a joint statement: "We demand Gen. Wiranto resign because he has failed in his task. The people cannot accept and never consented to have ABRI in power, because the country is not in an emergency situation."

The Action for Peace group, comprising Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara, Arief Budiman, Ayu Utami, Daniel Dhakidae, Faisal Basri, Fikri Jufri, Goenawan Mohamad, Ismed Hada, Marsilam Simanjuntak, Matori Abdul Jalil, Mudji Sutrisno, Munir, Nursjahbani Katjasungkana, Onghokham, Rahman Tolleng, Ratna Sarumpaet, Rizal Ramli, Todung Mulya Lubis, Sandra Hamid, Santoso, Silvia Tiwon and Th. Sumartana: "The security policy pursued by Gen. Wiranto was totally irresponsible. This policy endangers the life of this nation and is alienating ABRI from the people. We demand that Gen. Wiranto resign immediately."

The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi): "We demand that Gen. Wiranto resign from his job and immediately give his legal and political accountability for the Bloody Semanggi affair and other incidents where ABRI has been involved."

"We demand that Habibie take whatever steps necessary to calm the situation for the safety and integrity of the nation."

The Jakarta Legal Aid Institute: "We demand that the government take firm action against security personnel who have committed crimes against humanity, human rights and the constitution. Gen. Wiranto should be held accountable for his failure to control his soldiers and to protect the security and safety of the people."

The Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association: "President Habibie and Gen. Wiranto must take responsibility for the bloody tragedy by resigning from their posts immediately, to quell people's anger and prevent further violence."

"Whatever Wiranto has got to say, the facts clearly show that scores of civilians died because of the acts of violence. The tragedy shows once more the danger of letting an armed organization play politics."

The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) and the Union of Independent Indonesian Journalists (SWII): "If Gen. Wiranto cannot give an accountability report for the incident, we suggest he resigns from his post."

The Association of Indonesian TV Journalists: "We deplore the actions of the security apparatus who turned out to be ignorant of the journalistic profession."

"We ask that the government, in this case Gen. Wiranto, take responsibility for all of the consequences, including the loss of several lives."

Suara Ibu group in Bandung: "We are deeply pained and condemn all of the violence carried out by those in positions of responsibility. We demand that Gen. Wiranto take responsibility, bring the perpetrators to trial, make a public apology and provide support for all of the families of the victims."

"We call on women members of the DPR/MPR, and (First Lady) Hasri Ainun Habibie to join in the struggle voiced by the students and the people."

Rita Serena Kalibonso, executive director of Mitra Perempuan: "As an Indonesian, I feel ashamed of ABRI, which shoots and kills its own people. There's too much military violence in this country, and too many victims of their guns and violations of human rights. The President and the ABRI chief are responsible for the bloody incident on Nov. 13."

Women's Solidarity: "We oppose the use of force, especially armed forces. We demand that the government of Habibie, especially Gen. Wiranto and former president Soeharto, be held accountable for violence committed in this country, including in East Timor."

The National Awakening Party (PKB): "We condemn and protest the use of violence by the security apparatus, and demand a thorough investigation. We express our sympathy for Indonesian students fighting for the people's aspirations. Rest assured that all Indonesian people always pray for them and stand by them."

The Students Cabinet of the Bandung Technology Institute: "We condemn the security apparatus' brutal handling of demonstrations. We demand the government of Habibie, in particular Gen. Wiranto, be held accountable for the incident before a court of law."

The Students Senate of the Diponegoro University, Semarang: "We demand that the Armed Forces chief be held accountable for the brutality of the apparatus that killed many people."

The Students Presidium of the University of Trisakti: "We deplore ABRI for using repressive measures against demonstrators. We appeal to all forces in society who support the reformation movement to maintain their spirit, and to restrain themselves to prevent more casualties."

The Indonesian Nationalist Students Movements: "We demand that Gen. Wiranto be removed from his job immediately." (team)