New security council members briefed

JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie on Friday briefed the leaders of five religious councils about the formation of the Council for Enforcement of Security and Law, assuring them that the new body was more of a consultative forum rather than an operational institution.

The President explained the inclusion of representatives from the five councils as members of the body was meant to ensure that the people's interests were represented.

"This council in principle is more like a consultative forum, and a policy making forum to enforce security and the system of law ... (we) need immediate and integrated policies to overcome the impact of the crisis, in sectors of politics, the economy and our social culture," the council's secretary, Jimly Asshiddiqie, quoted the President as saying.

Accompanied by Jimly and Minister of Religious Affairs Malik Fajar, Habibie received Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) deputy chairman Amidhan, chairman of the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) Sularso Sopater, and Noto Seputro, executive secretary of the Indonesian Bishops Council (KWI). Also present was chairman of the Indonesian Hindu Dharma Council (PHBI) Putu Soekreta Soeranta and Buddhist Council (Walubi) chairwoman Siti Hartati Murdaya.

During the meeting at Merdeka Palace, the President assured the religious council leaders the new council would not work like the repressive Operational Command for the Restoration of Security and Order which operated from the 1970s to 1988.

According to Jimly, the President likened the new council to the Economic and Financial Resilience Council, which is chaired by Habibie.

"This council just decides the policy, while its operations will be directly linked with the functions of related institutions which are also its members," Jimly said.

The establishment of the 34 member council, including 23 Cabinet members, was announced last Tuesday. However, the President, who chairs the body, signed the body into existence through decree No. 191, dated Nov. 9.

Habibie appointed Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Chief Gen. Wiranto to head a smaller executive committee comprised of 14 members, including 10 Cabinet members.

According to Jimly, the chairpersons of the five religious groups serve ex officio as members of the new council.

Jimly insisted that all of the religious leaders had been informed they were being recruited to the new council before any decisions were made.

"Of course before the establishment, everything had been made clear, so there was no problem," he asserted.

However, some of the religious leaders, including those from the KWI and MUI, said that they had not been fully informed about their involvement in the new council. Marzuki Darusman, the new chairman of the National Commission on Human Rights, had also said that he had not been informed of his involvement beforehand, but would be willing to serve on the council.

"We are very surprised, as it was announced without prior consultation with us. Secondly, we have yet to know the mission and the goal of the council," Noto said.

Noto said that KWI was ready to work hand in hand with other religious groups and the government, but stated that the church can not get involved in politics.

MUI deputy chairman Ali Yafie on Friday in Bandung, West Java, said that his organization had not received any official notification from the government on its inclusion in the council.

"However, MUI is taking this in good faith, (and believes) it is absolutely needed to prioritize the efforts (to maintain) national resilience," Antara quoted the ulema as saying after addressing a meeting organized by Universitas Islam Bandung.

Marzuki said on Tuesday that he was not officially informed of his inclusion on the council before the announcement, but expressed his readiness to join the team.

The President is expected to chair the council's first meeting before Christmas, Jimly said. (prb)