Political temperature heats up: Feisal

JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung said yesterday that with the approaching 1997 general election, political temperature has been heating up.

"The heated political and security situation is not only caused by maneuvers of the political parties contesting next year's general election, but also by the activities of certain pressure groups," he said as quoted by Antara in Bandung yesterday.

He did not elaborate on what he meant by "pressure groups".

Briefing a gathering of 339 commandants of provincial and district military commands from across the country, Feisal said the activities of the pressure groups have become more transparent and their activities worsened the domestic political situation.

"Their aim is not only to disrupt next year's general election, but also to undermine the government," he said.

He called on officials to maintain alertness and to make accurate decisions in securing the 1997 general election and the 1998 general meeting of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

The three political groupings -- Golkar, the United Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) -- will contest 425 of the 500 seats in the House of Representatives (DPR). The remaining 75 seats are reserved for members of the Armed Forces, whose members do not vote.

The 500 House members, with the 500 appointed members of the MPR, will meet in March 1998 to elect a president for 1998-2003.

Accompanied by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Hartono and Chief of the Army Territorial Center Maj. Gen. Adang Ruchiatna, Feisal reminded officials to beware extremist elements working to exploit explosive issues such as labor and land disputes or social and religious conflicts.

He rejected observations from some political analysts that the Armed Forces has become alienated from the people.

"The analysis is not true. Yet, we will consider the observations as input," he said. (21/imn)