'Resume probe' into 1996 tragedy

JAKARTA: A senior leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) demanded on Friday that the police resume investigations into the attack on the party's headquarters that took place on July 27, 1996.

Jacob Nuwa Wea, who is also minister of manpower and transmigration, said the incident offended people who cared about democracy. "The case must be resolved," he said.

The attack involved supporters of the government-backed faction of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) under Soerjadi. They intended to seize the office, which was under the control of supporters of Megawati Soekarnoputri, PDI's democratically elected chief.

It is widely believed that the military helped Soerjadi's supporters but the military has repeatedly denied any involvement in the bloody incident that claimed at least five lives and sparked rioting in Jakarta.

An investigation was launched but then dropped without explanation. -- JP