Military seeks help to weed out rumormongers

Military seeks help to weed out rumormongers

JAKARTA (JP): The city military is soliciting help from
foreign groups in its effort to identify people spreading rumors
on the Internet of renewed riots in the capital.

"To detect (those responsible for) rumors on the Internet,
we've asked the assistance of foreign parties," Jakarta Military
Commander Maj. Gen. Djadja Suparman told media after attending
the 32nd anniversary of Jakarta's First Air Defense Regiment at
its headquarters at Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta.

The two-star general refused to elaborate on what he meant by
"foreign parties", but said a joint investigation was ongoing.

"We have not yet detected the rumormongers. The investigation
will take quite a long time and there will be many people to
testify.

"So, please be patient," Djadja said.

Rumors have it that unrest will occur ahead of the Aug. 17
Independence Day celebration.

President B.J. Habibie, Coordinating Minister for Political
and Security Affairs Feisal Tanjung and National Police Chief Lt.
Gen. Roesmanhadi joined the chorus of top officials attempting to
promote a sense of calm Wednesday. They appealed to people not to
be stirred by baseless rumors.

Despite the assurances, many appear to be bracing themselves
for the worst as word-of-mouth speculation has sown widespread
anxiety.

The Armed Forces also flexed its muscle as it gathered 12,500
personnel from police, military, air force, marines and civilian
forces in what it described as a routine check on preparations
for the independence celebrations, which will include several
state ceremonies.

Security has been noticeably strengthened this week, with
fully armed soldiers patrolling the capital in trucks and
guarding public buildings.

Security in particular areas has also been beefed up.

The spots include Habibie's private residence on Jl. Patra
Kuningan in South Jakarta, former president Soeharto's home on
Jl. Cendana in Central Jakarta, and state offices and buildings.

Residents have also been asked to tighten security in their
respective neighborhood and business areas.

According to Djadja, his men have also worked together with
the police to bust those responsible for stirring anxiety through
distribution of provocative leaflets.

He added, however, that nobody had been caught in the
investigation.

Djadja urged Jakartans to help out by providing information
which might help security officers apprehend the rumormongers.

In another related development yesterday, Minister of Home
Affairs Syarwan Hamid urged the parties spreading rumors to cease
forthwith.

"People have suffered enough here. Please stop spreading those
nasty rumors," Syarwan told reporters after being summoned by
National Police detectives following his recent complaint over
several media reports on his alleged role in the bloody takeover
of the Indonesian Democratic Party's headquarters two years ago
here.

Syarwan added the rumors exacted a huge toll in lost business.

"Because of these rumors, many people have left the country.
Worse, the rumors also discourage bussinesspeople to continue
their activities here.

"Well, rich residents may still have a great deal of money.
But what has happened to the poor people? How can they continue
their lives?"

According to National Police Detective Corps Commander Maj.
Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, his personnel has also been ordered to
investigate the rumors, which have spread throughout the country.

"These rumors have been circulated for about a month. We have
carefully analyzed them but so far we found that they were only
groundless rumors."

But police, he added, were still tracking down those
responsible, whose only intent was to stir up insecurity and
discomfort among Jakartans.

Although police consider the rumors to be phony, security
officers have taken measures to anticipate any possible
disturbances, Da'i said.

"We're closely monitoring the current situation and at the
same time seeking the perpetrators, who have transmitted the
rumors via leaflets and the Internet."

Da'i added: "We urge residents if they find such leaflets not
to distribute them. Tear them up, if necessary, because the
rumors have caused a huge loss to our country." (ivy/edt)