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)