Resolve Trisakti incident: Observers

Resolve Trisakti incident: Observers

JAKARTA (JP): A number of people from several backgrounds have
called on President B.J. Habibie's administration to bring a
speedy end to the now year-long investigation of the May 12
Trisakti shooting incident.

They expressed hopes that an open and fair probe into the
shooting of the anti-government student protectors would reveal
the identities of those responsible for the killing of four
students and wounding of dozens of others.

Jakarta Military Police have been handling the investigations
for the past year. However, the results have not satisfied the
public, as so far only two police officers have been sentenced in
the military tribunal for "breaching standard procedures".

Here are the excerpts:

Governor Sutiyoso: "I just want to urge the responsible
parties to make a complete and thorough investigation of the
shooting.

The case must not be frozen, meaning that the real shooters
should be found."

Jakarta Legal Aid Institute chairwoman Apong Herlina: "People
will no longer trust the government should the shooting case not
be solved fairly. If the people cannot trust the government
anymore, anarchy could occur and riots may break out again.

I think the government has tried to cover the case, hoping
that the public would forget it."

Trisakti University rector Thoby Mutis: "The investigation of
the shooting, which is a crime against humanity, should be
completed immediately in a transparent and honest way.

The belated work of the investigators in this criminal case
would only lead people to lose their trust toward the government.

The military tribunal (of 18 officers) did not satisfy the
public at all since it merely aimed at digging out 'the
procedural errors' of the shooting.

The public only want the shooters and those responsible for
the case."

Usman Hamid, chairman of the law faculty's student senate at
the university: "The shooting is not merely a Trisakti tragedy,
but a national tragedy as well.

Therefore, the fair disclosure of the case is obligatory in
order to let our nation and its people learn about such possible
experiences for the future."

Clementino dos Reis Amaral, secretary-general of the National
Commission on Human Rights (Komnasham): "The former city police
chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata and the former city military
commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin should be held
responsible and punished for the shooting at Trisakti students on
May 12.

Their recent replacement is not enough. They instead should be
fired from the Armed Forces (TNI) and tried in a court because
they were responsible for security affairs in the city."

City police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis: "The reason for
the slow investigation of the shooting has become the TNI's
homework. Police have completed their part by examining the
bullets and weapons used in the incident.

All bullets and weapons have been examined at a police
forensics laboratory and I think the results have been given to
TNI. So, it is now their responsibility to disclose it.

Police also realize that it won't be easy for the students and
families of the victims to forget the May 12 incident. Thus, we
understand if they want to commemorate the Trisakti shooting on
Wednesday.

In their notification letter to the police, the Trisakti
students say they will hold activities inside their campus and 20
students will visit the Tanah Kusir public cemetery (in South
Jakarta).

If the students keep their activities just like what they have
told us, there will be no problems at all."

Tohir, a UPN Veteran Jakarta student who is also an activist
with the Communication Forum of Jakarta's Student Senates: "I'm
pessimistic that President Habibie would be able to uncover the
shooting case, since he is a product of the New Order government.

His administration has been intentionally muffling the case
for their own interests, particularly to retain their power.

It's almost the same as, say, the killings in Aceh and East
Timor.

From a certain point of view, I don't feel a loss from the
deaths of the four Trisakti University students because they were
not my friends. But from a humanistic perspective, I am really
sad about their deaths, since they are victims of an
authoritarian regime.

City Military Commander Maj. Gen. Djadja Suparman: "Don't ask
me because I have no authority to answer such questions related
to the (Trisakti student) shootings. Just ask the city military
police commander." (jun/ind/emf/01)