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)