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)