Observers and students dismiss communism threat
Observers and students dismiss communism threat
JAKARTA (JP): Political observers and students alike dismissed
on Friday the recent warning by Minister of Defense/Armed Forces
(ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto that the recent flurry of street
rallies smacked of security-disturbing communist maneuvers.
The observers said such a statement could provoke restlessness
and fear among people, while students -- who have been staging
relentless demonstrations for various causes -- said they were
"hurt" by the allegation that communist elements had infiltrated
their movement.
Rubiyanto Misman, the rector of Soedirman University in the
Central Java town of Purwokerto, and Noer Iskandar al-Barsany,
the chairman of the Central Java chapter of the National
Awakening Party (PKB), said the student demonstrations had
enjoyed public support because they were seen as an effective
medium to convey people's aspirations to the government.
"I do not agree with the warning," Rubiyanto said.
Noer Iskandar said demonstrations in certain situations could
be accepted and even be considered obligatory if they were
combating tyranny and cruelty.
"If there's a tyrannical government, it must be warned through
demonstrations," he said, adding his belief that the students
were fighting for the people's interests. The government should
therefore handle them cautiously amid the rising political
tension, he said.
Taufik Hendarto, the chairman of the student senate of the
school of political and social sciences at the private National
University, said Wiranto's reference to communism among students
as reported by the Republika daily could sow hatred and anger
among people, especially those suffering from the crisis.
He pointed out that students had been staging demonstrations
in a way to pressure the government to pay attention to the
crisis.
"The government should not use communism as mere political
jargon in its attempt to end student demonstrations," he said.
In the East Java capital of Surabaya, Brawijaya Regional
Military Commander Maj. Gen. Djoko Subroto confirmed Wiranto's
remark that the security forces had identified patterns in recent
security disturbances which smacked of past maneuvers of the
outlawed Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).
"Their movement used past methods and symbols of PKI," he said
on Friday, adding how some recent mass mobilizations involved
farmers, workers and the unemployed.
Golkar legislator Lukman Harun pointed out that PKI used to
mobilize farmers to seize people's land and plantations. "Now,
their actions are manifested through looting," he was quoted by
Antara as saying.
He said he noticed that the farmers who demonstrated recently
at the House of Representatives were wearing hats typical of the
"Vietcong" or Vietnamese communists.
Lukman predicted that a large demonstration would be held by
certain parties to disrupt the opening of the Special Session of
the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) on Nov. 10.
"They will demand the dissolution of the House of
Representatives (DPR) and press for the establishment of a
People's Committee."
"They will also demand the termination of the ruling
government and the establishment of a transitional administration
as a replacement," he said.
The people's committee that Lukman referred to has been
suggested by some student protesters demanding President B.J.
Habibie's resignation. They advocated that Habibie be replaced by
a committee of people's representatives.
The chairman of the Interparliamentary Cooperation Agency of
the House of Representatives (DPR), Zamharir A.R., called on the
security forces to take firm action against any communist-related
demonstrations.
However, most of the recent student demonstrations, he said,
did not have any indications of communist involvement.
(nur/45/imn/rms)