Political elite told not to mobilize masses

JAKARTA (JP): Security authorities called on the country's political elite on Tuesday not to mobilize the masses to the streets, but to sit at the same table and seek solutions to their disputes.

"Political disputes cannot be solved by mobilizing the masses.

"Let the political elite sit down together and find the best solution for our country," Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said.

"Jakarta is the barometer of the country's security condition. If we cannot ensure the stability of the capital, how can we maintain the security of other regions?" Susilo said while addressing a meeting with youth leaders at his office.

The youth leaders, sponsored by the Indonesian National Youth Committee (KNPI), came to Susilo's office to air their concern over the planned rallies by both loyalists and opposers of President Abdurrahman Wahid on Jan. 15.

Susilo said there should be a resolution to differences of ideas among the political elite.

"We have the code of conduct, the Constitution and the gentlemen's agreement. There must be a way out for every political dispute," he said.

He said that he chaired a limited ministerial meeting on political and security affairs on Monday night, discussing efforts to prevent conflict between the two warring camps.

Susilo said the government would take stern action against any violent activities by the rally participants.

"The Police will stand on the front lines and will be backed up by Indonesian Military (TNI) troops," he said.

"The Police will remain non-partisan in handling the rallies.

"But, if they (participants) move to topple the legitimate government, it's subversion," he added.

Similarly, Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Muslim organization Hasyim Muzadi called on all NU members nationwide to channel their support for Abdurrahman through local councillors, and not by swarming on the capital.

"It's better that all Banser members remain in their respective areas and secure them from all kinds of terror. Let the Kyais (ulemas) channel their support for Gus Dur," Hasyim said on Tuesday, while referring to the security task force of Ansor, the NU's youth wing.

After a four-hour meeting with the executives of all NU branches, Hasyim said NU had instructed all of its members to stay calm and not to be provoked by the anti-Abdurrahman movement.

He admitted, however, that on Jan. 15 some Ansor members will come to the capital, but to attend a post-Idul Fitri gathering with the Indonesian Muslim University Student Movement (PMII).

Meanwhile, Ansor chairman Saifullah Yusuf suggested that Banser members should think twice before coming to the capital on Jan. 15.

"It will be even better if they do not come at all," he said.

Despite the calls for NU members to stay calm, NU members in East Java expressed their readiness to come the capital if the anti-Gus Dur rally tried to topple Abdurrahman.

"We are ready to defend Gus Dur who was democratically elected in 1999. We have a large number of people to defend Gus Dur," chairman of NU's East Java chapter Ali Maschan Moesa said on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, National Police Spokesman Brig. Gen. Saleh Saaf said the police would deploy 40,000 security officers on Jan. 15.

He said the National Police had ordered the Central Java Police and the East Java Police to persuade supporters of the President not to come to the capital.

"Meanwhile, anti-Gus Dur protesters in Jakarta and surrounding areas should not flock to the House of Representatives building either.

"Let the political conflict be settled by the elite without involving the supporters," he said.

Separately, Jakarta Police spokesman High Comr. Anton Bahrul Alam said on Tuesday that police and TNI troops would be deployed at riot-prone areas, such as the traffic circle in front of Hotel Indonesia and the parliament building, both in Central Jakarta, and places of worship around the capital.

Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Slamet Kirbiantoro said his troops would support police in maintaining security in the capital.

"We cannot prevent people from coming to the capital. But, TNI is committed to helping maintain security in the capital," Kirbiantoro said. (02/dja/jun/rms/ylt)