Rallies are natural in democracy: Edi

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security Edi Sudradjat responded positively yesterday to growing calls for economic and political reform and the recent spate of demonstrations against soaring prices.

Speaking at a media conference after a limited cabinet meeting on political affairs and security, Edi said it was natural that people living in a democratic society would have different opinions on various issues.

"To have different opinions from other people is part of a democratic life," he said when asked about the growing criticism of the New Order government.

"Moreover, the opinions (expressed by the demonstrators) were constructive and might be beneficial for the (proceedings of) General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)," he added.

He was referring to the mass rallies held by University of Indonesia students and alumni in Jakarta and their counterparts from Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta at their respective campuses Wednesday.

Several bigger rallies were held in Depok, West Java, and towns in Central Java yesterday with the same theme; namely protesting soaring prices and demanding economic and political reform.

Edi, a retired four-star general, played down yesterday the involvement of a retired two-star general in the demonstration in Jakarta Wednesday. He said Hariadi Darmawan's involvement did not have anything to do with his military status.

"Hariadi... was participating in his capacity as the chairman of the University of Indonesia's Alumni Association," he said.

Hariadi is currently the inspector-general at the Ministry of Forestry and the father-in-law of Isfan Fajar Satryo, the son of Vice President Try Sutrisno.

Edi also commented on the recent pledge of loyalty made by officers to new Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto. "It's an expression of loyalty, that's all, don't exaggerate the issue," he said.

He said "the pledge was also meant as an answer to some widespread rumors". He did not explain what the rumors were.

All the commanders of the country's military units, including Commander of the Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto and his deputies, Commandant-general of the Army's Special Force (Kopassus) Maj. Gen. Muchdi P.R. and all the country's regional military commanders pledged their loyalty to Wiranto Monday. (imn)