Rallies are natural in democracy: Edi

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)