Megawati may be questioned over riot

JAKARTA (JP): While the government blamed the weekend riot squarely on the Democratic People's Party (PRD) yesterday, senior government figures did not rule out the possibility of questioning Megawati Soekarnoputri over the unrest.

"We may want to ask her why she allowed the free speech forum to be used as a platform to bully the government," Attorney General Singgih said when asked by reporters about the probable role of the deposed chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) in the unrest.

By law, the Attorney General's Office will need permission from President Soeharto before it can question Megawati, because of her position as a member of the House of Representatives.

Singgih did not say if or when he would question Megawati.

The Attorney General was one of several top officials summoned by President Soeharto to Merdeka Palace yesterday to report on the weekend's violence. The others were Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman, Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung, National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Dibyo Widodo, Justice Minister Oetojo Oesman and Cabinet Secretary Saadilah Mursyid.

The riot followed the forced takeover of the PDI headquarters which had been occupied by supporters loyal to Megawati. The military said the free-speech forum held at the PDI office compound this past month has been used by certain parties to mobilize support to topple the government.

During the meeting Soeharto pointed his finger at the People's Democratic Party (PRD), an obscure group that has been behind many anti-government protests and workers' strikes over the past year.

The PRD, according to the head of state, was "riding" on the back of the PDI conflict. "It (the PRD) is synonymous with the old PKI," Soesilo said quoting the President as saying.

The PKI, or the Indonesian Communist Party, was banned in 1966 after it was blamed for staging a coup against President Sukarno, Megawati's father, in September 1965.

Soesilo said the PRD had grown from an "organization without form" into a force with a network of sub-organizations very similar to those under the PKI.

He likened the Center for the Struggle of Indonesian Laborers with PKI's SOBSI, the Association of National Farmers with BTI, the Indonesian Students Solidarity for Democracy with CMNG, and the Artist Network with Lekra.

Soesilo said that while the government had been watching the PRD's activities, it has to act in accordance with the laws.

"We appeal to the public to be vigilant. Don't let this organization extend its influence," Soesilo said.

"Don't be affected by baseless rumors. For example, some foreign radio stations have reported 54 or 47 dead (from the riot). There were only two deaths. Don't listen to foreign radio stations that are always trying to set us against each other," he said without mentioning any specific stations.

Soesilo promised swift action against those responsible for the rioting. By Sunday afternoon, police had arrested 206 people in connection with the unrest.

Singgih said the Attorney General's Office and the police are still investigating the incident and could use the anti- subversion law if any rioters' offenses amounted to that.

The 1963 law carries a maximum penalty of death.

Meanwhile, Megawati expressed her regret over the violence and sent her deepest condolences to the relatives of the people who died as well as those who were left injured.

Megawati promised that she and the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) will help find the whereabouts of people who have gone missing since the weekend.

She called on all leaders to "study the prime reason" for the violence and stressed that the PDI under her leadership always respects peaceful actions based on law and constitution.

The Forum for Democracy pinned the blame for the riot on the raid against the PDI headquarters.

"This incident is a political tragedy that is deeply disturbing," Forum's chairman Abdurrahman Wahid said in a statement. "We condemn and strongly protest at the violent actions used to achieve political ends," he said.

The YLBHI said blaming the PRD for the riots was an effort to sidestep the core issue, to criminalize the group and other organizations that have been active in advocating human rights, and thwart the demands for political changes. (emb/imn)

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