Petisi 50 group warns of New Order regime elements

JAKARTA (JP): After two decades of opposition, the Petisi 50 (Petition 50) group was unrelenting on Tuesday, marking its anniversary with a strong warning that allies of its old foes, the New Order regime, were still threatening democratization.

To mark its 20th anniversary the group issued a statement titled We are Called to Save the Nation, warning that political supporters of the New Order regime were quietly continuing efforts to regain power.

"The nation and the state are under threat, therefore we are called upon to save it," Chris Siner Kei Timu said reading the statement.

The statement was signed by the group's chairman Ali Sadikin and members Azis Saleh, Gen. (ret.) Hoegeng Iman Santoso, S.K. Trimurti, Hari Sanusi, Rajab Ranggasali, Wachdiat Sukardi and Chris himself.

The gathering marking the group's jubilee was held at Ali Sadikin's residence on Jl. Borobudur, Central Jakarta.

Ali, a retired marine lieutenant general, is one of the cofounders of the group, which was established on May 5, 1980.

The group consists mostly of former senior government officials and military officers.

At a time when there was rarely strong public opposition toward the government, the group was steadfast in its criticisms of Soeharto's rule.

President Abdurrahman Wahid visited Ali Sadikin in March and praised him as the country's pillar during the difficult times under Soeharto's rule.

"He was very strong in facing the hardship. I am very appreciative of him," the President said of Ali.

Ali himself said at that time Abdurrahman's Cabinet would need at least one year to show its progress due to the complexity of the country's problems.

In their statement on Tuesday, the group did not explicitly criticize Abdurrahman's presidency, however they did express concern over Cabinet disunity.

"The formation of the Cabinet was a compromise between the old regime and reform forces," the group said, while suggesting the upcoming general session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in August be a forum to acquire a progress report from the President. (prb)