Officers to face court for illegal military exercises

Officers to face court for illegal military exercises

JAKARTA (JP): Three Armed Forces officers will face a tribunal
for allegedly organizing illegal military exercises in the East
Java town of Malang, provincial military commander Maj. Gen.
Djadja Suparman said yesterday.

Djaja was quoted by Antara as saying that the military court
would proceed in the hill resort town, some 90 kilometers south
of the province capital Surabaya. He declined to say when the
case would begin.

Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Abdul Wahab Mokodongan
confirmed last month that a middle-ranking officer, one sergeant
major and a sergeant were involved in the closed-door exercises
and a series of nightly meetings held in Malang over the past
several months.

The officers were among some 60 people arrested, for alleged
subversive activities, by police in separate places last month.

They were also allegedly part of a group of about 100
followers of Arief Kusno Saputro, who claimed to be the
reincarnation of the first president Sukarno. The group called
itself Division X.

Arief, who was among those arrested in Malang's neighboring
town of Kediri, has reportedly given speeches in many areas
appearing in white clothes and a traditional peci cap -- attire
often worn by Sukarno.

Djaja refused to comment on the possibility that a colonel had
masterminded the illegal military training.

"We haven't gone that far because there has been no proof,"
Djaja said after attending the Armed Forces anniversary
celebration in Surabaya. "We have to maintain the presumption of
innocent principle."

Sentot

But he said the police were now searching for a man,
identified as Sentot, who was believed to be one of the group's
leaders. Djaja did not provide any further information about
Sentot.

He said the military command would examine whether the so-
called Division X was linked to a bigger group.

"Investigation is now underway," he said. "I'm not going to
conclude that the group is part of a left-wing organization."

East Java Police Chief Maj. Gen. M. Dayat said last week that
most members of the group came from Jakarta and Bekasi.

Police investigators have so far seized four motorcycles, two
cars and one jeep, and a collection of military weapons and
equipment, including bayonets, Army belts and combat uniforms, as
material evidence. (amd)