Momentum for counter attack?
Momentum for counter attack?
At the end of May 1998 President Soeharto stepped down as
president of the Republic of Indonesia and in line with the 1945
Constitution he was automatically succeeded by his vice president
B.J. Habibie.
After his resignation Soeharto came under attack from all
directions, mostly about his accumulation of wealth, about the
way he ran this country and many other affairs including the
businesses of his children. During these attacks Soeharto kept
calm and silent.
As a military strategist, he started to survey the
battlefield, the strength of the enemy, the tactics they were
going to use and their targets. Then he started looking at his
own strength, the weapons he had at his disposal, the support he
could expect from the government and the people.
The most urgent step was to destroy all harmful evidence and
change the names of the deposits abroad. The domestic
circumstances were in his favor, due to the slow progress
(intentionally or unintentionally) of the law enforcing agencies.
It took him about three months to prepare his counter attack.
First, he let the people know that he still existed and hence he
made his appearance on a private TV station (TPI) explaining at
great length about his financial matters and denying all of the
accusations.
In the meantime the situation is becoming worse. People no
longer have confidence in the present government and the students
have resumed demonstrations demanding the resignation of
President B.J. Habibie and other incompetent leaders. Food is
scarce and prices are skyrocketing.
Law and order is out of control and worse still the people
have started to dislike the Armed Forces (ABRI) for not sharing
the aspirations of the people who call for reform. It is this
situation that is being awaited by Soeharto. He has determined
that the time is ripe for counter attack.
I only feel sorry for the common people who become victims of
this power play and suffer economically. The government should
act resolutely and tackle the most urgent problem, and comply
with what the people desire most i.e. the investigation of former
president Soeharto without delay, before important documents
disappear.
SOEGIH ARTO
Jakarta