Soeharto says investigators insane
Soeharto says investigators insane
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto, returning from a four-nation tour, lashed out at the Indonesians believed to have provided information for demonstrations against the republic abroad, calling them insane and irrational.
"These people are insane and no longer rational. How could they sell out their own nation in another country," Soeharto said on Thursday aboard his plane en route to Halim Perdanakusuma airport. He was returning from a tour to Germany, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
"If there are problems domestically, then let's solve them at home, and not by using foreigners over there," the President said.
Meanwhile, Harmoko, the chairman of Golkar, the ruling political organization, said in Jambi yesterday that the involvement of Indonesians in the demonstrations abroad was incompatible with the moral values of the nation.
If there are those who disagree with the developments pursued by the New Order, then they should express this in a positive manner and channel their views, not resort to deceitful and irresponsible acts, Harmoko said.
Both were referring to a series of demonstrations which confronted the President during his six-day stay in Germany.
In particular, the President was referring to the protest occurring during his stop in Dresden.
Over 100 raucous demonstrators encountered the President and Mrs. Tien Soeharto during their visit to the Zwinger museum.
Security officials were obviously unprepared for such an incident, thus allowing the obscenity shouting mob to reach very close proximity of the presidential entourage.
"In my assessment it was the act of a group that is no longer rational, who can no longer possess a healthy mind. Well, those who no longer have a healthy mind are the same insane, mad!" Soeharto told reporters on board the plane.
He revealed that both Indonesian and German authorities had known prior to his departure for Germany that certain demonstrations were being planned.
"It had been reported that Amnesty International wanted to arrange demonstrations against me," Soeharto said of the internationally recognized organization's attempts to criticize his record on human rights and democracy.
He charged that Amnesty International had solicited the support of exiled Indonesian separatists from East Timor, Aceh, Irian Jaya and even the supporters of the old South Maluku rebels to carry out the protests.
During the stops preceding Dresden, the demonstrations were well anticipated and due to the effective crowd control of German security officials their impact was often negligible.
"In places like Hannover, Bonn and Dusseldorf, they (the protesters) could be driven away by security officers. But in Dresden, which was formerly a communist state, maybe they do not have the experience, thus making such an incident possible," Soeharto remarked.
The incident drew condemnation from German officials who immediately apologized. The Minister/President of Dresden's home state of Sachsen, K. Biedenkopf, even went so far as to say that the incident would prompt a review of the regulations on holding public demonstrations.
Despite the ordeal, Soeharto indicated that the incident would not strain relations between the two countries.
"We do not think that it was done on purpose by our hosts," he said.
Recounting the incident that took place at the Zwinger Museum on April 5 in Dresden, Soeharto said that the demonstrators did not come in one big mass but came separately in small groups of three.
"Then, when I came, a whistle was heard and they began assembling and coming nearer," Soeharto said.
Investigation
Although he indicated that the government would take firm measures and investigate the Indonesian nationals involved in the demonstrations, Soeharto did not identify them.
"If it is true, then so be it. We consider them as among those who are unhealthy, the same as those who are mad. That is why we should not accommodate these mad people," Soeharto said.
The military has identified three-people -- Goenawan Mohamad, legislator Sri Bintang Pamungkas and Yeni Rosa Damayanti -- who will soon face investigation for their alleged complicity in the incident.
Goenawan was the editor-in-chief of the banned Tempo magazine, Sri Bintang is an outspoken member of the PPP-faction who is in the process of being recalled, while Yeni is a young activist who spent several months in jail for defaming the President.
All three were said to be in Germany just before or during Soeharto's visit.
Soeharto cited a Javanese saying "sak bejo-bejone wong sing edan, isih bejo sing eling lan waspodo," which means that living in an age of lunacy, people tend to become insane as well, but whatever the reward one can get, it is still better to be one who is aware and alert.
"I personally do not want Indonesia to become insane," he added. (mds)