Observers condemn Banjarmasin riots, seek explanation

Observers condemn Banjarmasin riots, seek explanation

JAKARTA (JP): Observers condemned Friday's rioting in
Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan that left at least 133 people dead,
and sought an explanation for the tragedy.

"Why have we become such a callous, cold-blooded nation?"
asked Moslem scholar Amien Rais.

"There has been various scales of unrest, and yet there were
still officials who said the situation was normal, safe and under
control," he said. "We have sunk to a very low level of
humanity."

Amien, who is also chairman of the 28 million-strong
Muhammadiyah Moslem organization, said there was no guarantee
things would return to normal and the scars would be healed after
the May 29 general election.

He said the government should examine the situation with
"conscience" and realize that people will closely scrutinize the
election procedure.

"The public is demanding change. If the poll does not proceed
in a 'direct, free, confidential, honest and fair' manner, the
people that showed their strength before, will do so again, and
on an even larger scale," he said.

The rioting reportedly erupted when Golkar campaigning began
before Friday prayers had finished, angering local Moslems. Amien
said he had studied the unrest during the 27-day campaign period
and noted many similarities.

"There's a very dangerous 'scenario' unfolding in the campaign
unrest. There's a campaign to discredit Moslems, through a
systematic effort to provoke their anger," he said.

He cited the attacks on three Islamic universities in
Yogyakarta during the campaign period, and said the Banjarmasin
Moslems were also provoked.

"Above all, I'm afraid this campaign has left a ticking time
bomb. This has been the most violent campaign period... if demand
for change for the better is not addressed, this becomes a time
bomb," he said.

Tosari Widjaya, the secretary-general of the Moslem-based
United Development Party (PPP) whose supporters were said to have
been involved in the rioting, lamented the riot that claimed so
many lives. He said the tragedy had left a dark cloud over the
country's election history.

"I'm greatly concerned because people have again become
victims," he said, adding that the party leadership planned to
give a statement on the disaster pending reports from its
Banjarmasin branch office.

He said the latest campaign violence in Banjarmasin, as well
as the previous clashes in many parts of the country, represented
a clash pitting Golkar supporters against the people. It was not
the result of acrimonious rivalry between PPP and Golkar masses.

"Everybody, including government officials and leaders of the
three poll contenders, must reflect on what people were actually
saying by rioting, and think of what solution to take. Trying to
pin the blame on some scapegoat is not enough," he said.

He said people had noticed unjust and unfair practices
committed by certain government officials, despite their denial.

Tosari agreed with security authorities who said the riot
broke out because some Banjarmasin residents or Golkar supporters
were provoked.

"Security authorities must now disclose the culprits behind
the tragedy and punish them heavily," he said.

Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. said in a televised
speech Saturday that election campaigns, which ended Friday, had
been marred by disorder despite an all-out effort by the
authorities to ensure security.

"We have observed that some disorder has occurred during the
campaign activities in which a number of people have been injured
and even killed," he said.

Violations of the campaign regulations will be dealt with, he
said. (amd/swe)