Military element feared behind political terror

JAKARTA (JP): Political observers here are speculating that rogue elements inside the military are behind the recent wave of "political terror" launched against the nation's legislators.

Political scientists Riza Sihbudi from the National Institute of Sciences (LIPI), criminologist Mulyana W. Kusumah and political observer Arbi Sanit, both from the University of Indonesia (UI), told The Jakarta Post on Sunday that these actions were a direct threat to Indonesia's fledgling democracy and must be stopped.

Riza strongly believed that the attacks were part of a grand design with a clear message to legislators to stop trying to edge out the role of the military in politics.

"I think it is the military behind these. Not TNI (the Indonesian Military) as an institution but their personnel. They have the skills and capability and I'm sure some high-ranking officers have enough resources to finance such an operation," he said.

"The series of incidents happening to members of the House of Representatives (DPR) are not just coincidences. This is politically related," Riza charged.

"Law enforcers and the government must handle this matter seriously. Don't let these incidents be repeated and become part of our political culture," he added.

Riza's belief on who was behind the incidents was echoed by criminologist Mulyana, who said: "They (the military) can create groups or get civilians to carry out the plan."

"I regret that our police are often simplifying the matter and seem reluctant to investigate it.

"This is a phenomenon which will occur anywhere if discontented groups on the political stage, in this case the military, cannot find any constitutional measures to express their disappointment or they have had enough with our vocal legislators," he remarked.

A series of incidents have befallen legislators in the past three months.

On Jan. 25 legislator Tengku Nashiruddin Daud of the United Development Party (PPP) was found dead in Sibolangit, Deli Serdang regency, North Sumatra after he was earlier reportedly abducted.

On Feb. 8 a bizarre incident occurred when a bullet pierced the window of the office of PPP legislator Suryadharma Ali located on the 16th floor of the House complex here.

On March 5 two men attacked the National Awakening Party (PKB) chairman Matori Abdul Djalil in front of his house in the Tanjung Mas Raya housing complex in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta.

On March 13 another bullet pierced the window of the House building. Who or where the shots were fired from remains unclear.

The shot was fired as legislators were holding a hearing with former president Soeharto's youngest son, Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, over graft allegations.

In the latest incident on Saturday, burglars broke into the official residence of House speaker Akbar Tandjung at the ministerial housing complex in Kebayoran Baru in South Jakarta.

Police say the thieves made off with a bag containing two checkbooks and Rp 2 million in cash.

Akbar was out of town at the time.

Mulyana was convinced that the latest robbery was not simple petty crime.

"No thieves would take such a small amount of money from Akbar's house. Even if there's no cash, there are valuable goods. That's not an ordinary burglary," Mulyana stressed, adding the theft was used to camouflage the real intent.

While also conceding the possibility of the involvement of certain military elements working individually, Arbi Sanit pointed out that people should also understand that it was difficult for the military to see the ongoing political process which was increasingly sidelining them.

"High-ranking officers might not directly know it, but I'm sure they can detect that lower-ranking officers may hold grudges over the recent processes," he remarked.

But Arbi also did not close the possibility that senior officers may be behind the terror, speculating it could be officers who suddenly find that their promised career rewards, such as gubernatorial posts, have now diminished.

In the future, Arbi suggested that legislators and the government not be "too hard" on the military.

"But it doesn't mean that stern measures against those misbehaving shouldn't be taken," he remarked, suggesting that action be taken "slowly but surely."

Meanwhile military spokesman Air Rear Marshal Graito Usodo declined to comment on these allegations.

"If this is still speculation and a very political one, I'd rather not comment on it. My statements can add new problems," he told the Post. (emf)