Riot masterminds 'may know sociology'

Riot masterminds 'may know sociology'

JAKARTA (JP): There is a possibility that those responsible
for instigating the riots have a certain degree of knowledge of
sociology, and used this to stir up chaos, Minister of Justice
Muladi said Wednesday.

He said that this knowledge had helped to identify which areas
were easily provoked. Muladi was commenting in response to
questions on why "provocateurs", while often accused of being
behind recent riots, were never revealed.

"I don't know (why they have not been revealed), but it is
clear that if they do exist, there must be an undercover
operation," he said before a cabinet meeting, adding that the
mysterious parties seemed to be "untouchables".

"The movement is subversive -- it is underground ... and is in
possession of certain knowledge." This would be "knowledge of
sociology and anthropology (to identify) which areas are easily
provoked -- areas which are diverse in ethnicity, religion, and
race. It's quite evident," he said.

Muladi had earlier said that the government should take
seriously the statements of people such as Muslim leader
Abdurrahman Wahid, who the minister said was well informed.

Abdurrahman, known as Gus Dur, had once said that displeased
loyalists of former president Soeharto were likely to be behind
the riots. He visited Soeharto on Tuesday to ask him to use his
influence to stop the unrest created by his followers.

Amien Rais, another influential Muslim leader, had said
provocateurs had to be well financed, sophisticated, well trained
and well organized to be able to spread unrest across the
archipelago.

On Wednesday, the chief of the National Police detectives for
general crimes unit, Col. Makbul Padmanagara, said he had visited
Abdurrahman's South Jakarta home to clarify his statements with
three other detectives.

Abdurrahman said he was "glad to help" and also urged that the
government not cover up the ongoing unrest in Maluku province.

"Horrible things have happened there and it has to stop." The
latest death toll from police is 54, but details and other
reports of deaths remain unconfirmed.

Detective Makbul said that "police have enough information
from Gus Dur", which he said would be used to help the
investigation into the Ambon riots.

Also on Wednesday, Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs
and Security Faisal Tandjung said some leads had been found
regarding the involvement of provocateurs in recent riots.

"We already have lists of names of provocateurs," Faisal said,
but failed to give details. Minister of Defense and
Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto earlier said the
riots in Ambon were similar to others with religious overtones
such as in Jakarta and Kupang.

Faisal also blamed the media for sensationalist reporting.

"We are doing the best we can by deploying security forces.
What more guarantee do you want? We will enforce the law and take
firm action. Officers will stick to the presumption of
innocence," he said.

Muladi had also reiterated that the government would no longer
use the subversion law, which the government has said would be
scrapped, and that "preventive detention", such as that conducted
against alleged communists in the past, was no longer an option.

In democracy, he said, the law should be upheld. (edt/emf)