Order issued to restore security

Order issued to restore security

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid issued on Monday an
executive order instructing his top security minister to take
steps to prevent disorder brought about by the frenzied political
climate.

The abrupt move, however, stopped short of Abdurrahman's
threat of imposing a state of civil emergency.

"With regard to the emergency political situation we are
currently facing, in relation to the possibility of a special
session of the Assembly and a presidential decree, I hereby order
the Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security
Affairs (Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) to undertake the necessary
actions, in coordination with the security apparatus, to tackle
the crisis and restore law and order as soon as possible,"
Abdurrahman said in a one-page announcement, read by presidential
spokesman Yahya C. Staquf at Merdeka Palace.

The actual significance of the executive order remains open to
interpretation as to how it would directly effect the state of
the nation, or whether additional powers, such as in a state of
emergency, could be wielded to tackle perceived threats.

Minister of Defense Mahfud M.D., who was present at the
palace, quickly made it clear that it was not tantamount to
martial law, nor was it a transfer of executive power from the
President to the Cabinet.

Mahfud, meanwhile, said: "There is no emergency situation or a
transfer of authority from the President ... this is just to
restore law and order."

Susilo, who now finds himself the main protagonist in the
unfolding political drama, played down the latest development
saying that in his "interpretation" there was "nothing
extraordinary" about the executive order.

"The assignment is actually still within the scope of my duty
as Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security
Affairs," Susilo told a media briefing, after an emergency
meeting with senior Cabinet members at his office late on Monday.

He then brushed aside suggestions that the executive order was
similar to the one given by then president Sukarno to his
successor Soeharto in 1966.

"There's no extraordinary mandate given to me from this
assignment ... and clearly this one is entirely different from
the Supersemar," Susilo said, referring to the March 11, 1966,
order.

He stressed that he had not been delegated power by the
President and that he remained accountable to a higher officer.

"I still have two superiors, the President and Vice President
of the Republic of Indonesia ... and I will consult both of them
on principal and fundamental matters," he added.

He reiterated that the security order was not tantamount to an
emergency situation or the issuance of a presidential decree to
dissolve the House.

"There'll be no declaration of an emergency situation, so
every state institution can carry on with their work as usual,"
he said.

Susilo was vague, however, on the precise steps that would be
taken under the security order in the coming days.

"There will be three agendas ... to maintain security, to
restore law and order and to continue seeking a peaceful
political solution," he said.

He then appealed for calm from both supporters and opponents
of the embattled President and said that "the coming three months
is a critical period" for the security authorities.

"Intelligence data has told us that the political climate will
escalate and there will more security disturbances," Susilo said.

"We call on political leaders to exercise restraint, not to
provoke large groups of people, not to condone and not to turn a
blind eye to violence perpetrated by their supporters," he said.

He also called on the media not to inflame the situation.

"This appeal is not intended to curb media freedom, but in an
abnormal situation the role of a constructive media is
necessary."

Facing the prospect of having to face a special session of the
Assembly that would ask for his presidential accountability,
Abdurrahman offered on Friday a power-transfer deal to Vice
President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

He further warned that he would impose a state of emergency if
legislators continue with plans for a special session.

Megawati has personally responded but her aides at the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) insist
that a special session will go ahead.

The House is set to determine whether to call a special
session on Wednesday.

Expire

The President's secretary, Abdul Mudjib Manan, said on Monday
afternoon the executive order was drafted by Cabinet Secretary
Marsilam Simanjuntak and would remain in effect till "the
situation settles down".

In his opening statement before the executive order was read
live on national television, Abdurrahman said the announcement
was issued to prevent a "catastrophe" from taking place.

"Supporters and opponents of the President are on a collision
course and this must be avoided as much as possible ... because
if the country becomes a battlefield the people will become
victims," Abdurrahman said.

Presidential aides have argued that holding a special session
of the Assembly would place the country's territorial integrity
at stake.

Abdurrahman reiterated on Monday that the risk of
disintegration was very real.

"The risk has been taken lightly by some people. They think
that I am only bluffing. I am not," Abdurrahman said, adding that
some people from Irian, Aceh and Riau would come to Jakarta to
declare independence if the President was impeached through a
special session.

He also warned of "a systematic attempt through the media" to
ruin his reputation and of carrying out a "character
assassination".

"The media are not interested in reporting the government's
achievements and they have been taking sides," Abdurrahman said.

He then said that, under the presidential system, the
president could not be removed by the House.

Immediate reactions from outside the President's camp was
generally dismissive.

Megawati made no comment on Monday as a slew of visitors came
in and out of her official residence until late into the night.

PDI Perjuangan Secretary General Soetjipto told reporters that
Megawati was not informed in advance of the executive order and
she learnt of it from watching television.

"She just watched television quietly and did not give any
comment," Soetjipto said.

Assembly Speaker Amien Rais was also cool on the security
order saying that it was just a "a mere announcement".

"There's nothing special about it, we don't need to react
excessively to it," Amien said, adding that it was "a reflection
of the President's confusion."

House Speaker Akbar Tandjung echoed the same sentiment saying
"there is nothing to worry about from the announcement".
(02/byg/dja/rms)