Political elite warned against provoking masses

JAKARTA (JP): As tensions rise in some parts of the country, top security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono warned the political elite and legislators on Wednesday against making provocative statements that could worsen the security situation in the country.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang said that security personnel would not hesitate to take strict action against anybody, including the political elite and legislators, who was guilty of provoking the people.

"Should a riot occur that has been orchestrated by a leader, or should a leader allow a riot to occur, the person concerned will be held legally responsible for this.

"I therefore urge the political elite and legislators not to make statements that provoke the masses," Susilo told reporters at Jakarta police headquarters on Wednesday.

The minister made the statements, following a meeting with top officials of the National Police and the Indonesian Military (TNI) on security measures at the police headquarters.

The meeting was attended by among other top officials, National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro, Intelligence Assistant to the National Police chief, Insp. Gen. Arsyaad Mbai, Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Sofjan Yacob, TNI Commander Adm. Widodo AS and Jakarta Military Commander Bibit Waluyo.

Speaking after the meeting, Bimantoro said that the police would also take strict action against people who were too vocal.

"By 'vocal', I mean people who make statements that fire up the masses. Police will arrest them. Action will also be taken against legislators, since there are legal limits for them too," Bimantoro said.

Bimantoro specified that the police would take action against chairman of the Democratic People's Party (PRD) Budiman Soedjatmiko, if suspected of provoking people to create unrest.

National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Didi Widayadi said that the National Police had detected a number of groups and their leaders, who were suspected of planning to create civil disorder. These included Budiman, labor activist Dita Indah Sari and university lecturer Thamrin Amal Tomagola.

"If riots occur, these people will be the first to be arrested," Didi said.

Unionist Dita, Thamrin and eight other people, who had been protesting with the President's supporters outside the presidential palace on Wednesday night, were surprisingly escorted into the palace by military police officers, at about 11:20 p.m. on Wednesday.

Dita stated after the meeting that the President and Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, sister of Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, would meet his supporters at the National Monument park on Thursday morning to calm them and ask them not to take any anarchic action.

When asked if the President would issue a decree to declare a state of emergency, an edict to dissolve the House, or call a snap election, Dita said that the President did not specifically mention a decree, edict or election, but promised to take necessary action to solve the current crisis.

Susilo had suggested earlier that the President not issue such a decree and asked all parties to respect the decision of the House to call for a special session of the People's Consultative Assembly that could lead to the impeachment of the President.

"Considering the current situation, the issuance of a decree is unnecessary, and we hope the President will not issue one," he said.

National Police spokesman Didi Widayadi concurred and said that nobody, including the police, wanted a state of emergency to be imposed.

"Do not impose a state of emergency. It would be a costly experience for the general public," he said. (ylt/nvn/02)