Political elite told not to mobilize masses

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)