Political elite warned against playing dirty

Political elite warned against playing dirty

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces
Commander Gen. Wiranto blamed political friction among the elite
for much of the current unrest and said that those paying people
to make trouble "would face the military".

While he has issued instructions to shoot-on-sight if
necessary, various individuals and groups within the political
elite should also stop their actions, Wiranto said on Monday.

"The political elite should stop using money politics and stop
inciting people to commit crimes because they will face the
military," he said, adding that unrest was also caused by an
ignorance of the law.

Addressing the congress of the Youth Movement of the Mutual
Aid Family Conference (MKGR) here, Wiranto would not specify what
"political friction" he was referring to, only saying that many
individuals and groups were increasingly imposing their will on
people.

"Many sides in the political elite have tried to use money
politics in fighting for their political interests, while many
people ignore the law because of frustration over the present
political and economic situation, causing instability in all
fields," he said.

He warned the political elite against attempts of trying to
cause rifts within the Armed Forces (ABRI) because such action
would bring disintegration to the nation.

"ABRI still remains solid and is under one command," he said.

Meanwhile, Antara reported that Wiranto would soon officiate
at the establishment of a special unit to face crowds called the
Mass Riot Hit Troop (Pasukan Pemukul Kerusuhan Massal).

The troop would answer directly to the ABRI commander.

Its job will mainly consist of mobile brigade police officers,
Army Strategic Reserves Commander Lt. Gen. Djamari Chaniago said
in Malang, reading the address of ABRI Chief of General Affairs
Lt. Gen. Sugiono.

At the MKGR function, Wiranto cited further that many people,
especially the unemployed, had been paid between Rp 15,000 and Rp
25,000 to join protests against government policy and to commit
crimes such as looting, destruction and arson.

"With Rp 10 million in their hands, anyone can recruit around
40 jobless people to stage a demonstration in front of the
Ministry of Defense and Security building to demand my
resignation," he said, adding that he regretted being "only
valued at Rp 10 million".

Increasing unemployment has contributed to the rise in the
crime rate, he added, particularly in urban areas.

About 700,000 of the at least 20 million unemployed, he said,
had lost their jobs to the crisis.

"It's impossible for them to remain calm when they can see
food when they are hungry and have no money to buy it," he said.

Wiranto reiterated that in coping with instability, ABRI would
do everything to show its loyalty to the state and the 1945
Constitution. He urged groups with conflicting interests to seek
compromise so that the political and economic crisis could be
handled better.

Wiranto restated commitment to ABRI's reform plan, saying that
38 unelected seats allocated to the military in the House of
Representatives, down from the current 75, was just right.

"It would not be acceptable to reduce the seats to zero," he
said, referring to demands of students and several other parties.
ABRI insists it needs to watch over national interests through
its own seats in the legislature.

"ABRI has agreed to be phased out of the lower House and no
longer be present in the bureaucracy," he said.

Wiranto said on Saturday that some 4,000 military officers in
the bureaucracy would soon have to choose between returning to
military service or continuing civilian jobs as retired officers.

Central Java Governor Mardiyanto, also a two-star Army
general, said on Monday in Semarang that he had chosen to
maintain his present job, citing public preference.

"I was elected by the people through their representatives in
the provincial legislature," Antara quoted him as saying. (rms)