Military handling of riot aftermath hailed

JAKARTA (JP): Former Jakarta Military Commander Kentot Harseno said over the weekend that the Jakarta Military Command acted according to standard procedures in controlling the city after the riot on July 27.

"I think the military has handled the city situation properly, especially after the riot," Harseno told reporters after launching his second book, entitled Introspeksi (Introspective), at his residence on Jl. Ceger in East Jakarta.

The Jakarta Military Command has said that the troop withdrawal has been completed as the military gave assurances that the situation in the city is back to normal

The book launching coincided with the 31st anniversary of his marriage. Harseno's first book, entitled Kepemimpinan dan Kehidupan yang Wajar (Leadership and Natural Life) was published in 1994.

Several senior officers were present at the book launching, including the Chief of the Armed Forces's Sociopolitical Affairs Lt. Gen. Syarwan Hamid, two former Jakarta Military Commanders, Lt. Gen. Wiranto and Maj. Gen. AM Hendroprijono and the Jakarta Military Command's Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Sjafrie Samsuddin.

Harseno, who is the Inspector General for Development, made the headlines after confidential memos he wrote leaked to the press late last year. The memos reported that Transportation Minister Haryanto Dhanutirto had misused funds belonging to state enterprises overseen by the Ministry of Transportation.

President Soeharto, however, cleared the minister of the embezzlement charge and asked him to be "introspective".

Harseno acknowledged that the title of his second book, which was written in six months, was inspired by the president's word. But he denied that he referred to the case. (jun)