Rumors of a coup attempt baseless: Edi

Rumors of a coup attempt baseless: Edi

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense Edi Sudradjat told people
yesterday not to be provoked by baseless rumors about a coup
attempt.

Speaking to reporters after addressing the opening ceremony of
an ASEAN seminar on Principles of Regional Resilience and
Cooperation, Edi said people should not trust such misleading
information.

"The coup attempt turned out to be untrue, didn't it?" he said
during a break in the two-day seminar organized by the National
Resilience Institute (Lemhanas).

He said citizens should maintain vigilance and not be easily
provoked by irresponsible rumors aimed at creating political and
economical instability.

"People should be able to filter all kinds of information and
remain wary of any kind of provocation," he added.

Businessman and legislator Bambang Trihatmodjo also called for
vigilance in responding to the rumors.

"People should be more cautious about the rumors, which have
been launched in such an unfavorable political and economic
climate," said Bambang, who is President Soeharto's son.

Edi and Bambang were commenting on the widespread rumors,
which had been brewing since Monday, saying that there would be a
coup attempt Wednesday.

Rumors of the coup attempt destabilized the country's economic
system and depreciated the rupiah against the U.S. dollar.

The rupiah fell on rumors of President Soeharto's ailing
health last week. Earlier, foreign reports even speculated that
Soeharto was on his deathbed.

But none of the rumors have proven to be true.

The Armed Forces vowed last week to track down those who
circulated rumors which it said threatened the country's economic
and political stability.

But Edi dismissed speculation that there were foreign
countries who were behind the monetary crisis and involved in
starting the rumors.

Speaking on efforts to tackle the monetary crisis, Edi said
all elements in society should be serious and do their best to
settle the crisis.

But he said the government should prioritize the steps to be
taken.

"There are things which require an immediate response, while
others may have to be delayed or canceled," he said. (imn)