New security council members briefed

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)