Naming names

Naming names

From Pelita

A newspaper recently quoted People's Consultative Assembly
Speaker Amien Rais as saying that provocateurs in the Maluku
unrest include members of the political elite. The report said
Rais possessed complete data on those who plotted the troubles.

I fear the statement may prove true. The conflict in Maluku --
touching on problems of ethnicity, religion, race and communal
relations -- has persisted for a long time without any sign of
abatement. It has claimed victims on both sides of the hostile
groups and caused the destruction of property. It has wiped out
the harmonious life the people created and maintained during many
years because today the people cannot rein in their emotions. I
am greatly concerned about the situation.

But I am also worried about the publication of Amien Rais'
data. It would have been wiser if Rais did not hurriedly make the
statement because it may stir up public feeling and worsen the
situation.

If Amien Rais knows for sure the identity of the provocateurs
in Maluku, he should submit the data to the pertinent agencies
and authorities for further processing. Rais should not just make
statements. We have often heard about the supposed provocateurs,
but none has ever been caught.

The Maluku case should be solved immediately and conclusively.

DUDUNG SUPANGAT

Jakarta