Soeharto wants to see all rioters brought to court

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto ordered Attorney General Siggih yesterday to ensure that anyone who broke the law in the lead-up to or during the July 27 riots in Jakarta is promptly arraigned.

He also approved the continued questioning of activists suspected of inciting the unrest.

"The President wants to see those whose actions had legal repercussions take responsibility for them in court," Singgih told journalists after meeting with the head of state.

Singgih met with Soeharto at Merdeka Palace to brief him on the progress of his office's investigation into the riots, particularly the questioning of the Democratic People's Party (PRD).

The attorney general revealed that of the 124 people arrested in the aftermath of the riots, six have been released from detention but required to report regularly to his office.

The riots erupted after supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) rebel chief, Soerjadi, forcibly stormed the party headquarters controlled by the democratically-elected leader, Megawati Soekarnoputri.

The government has blamed the tiny PRD for inciting the riots. In Jakarta, nine PRD activists, including its chief Budiman Sudjatmiko, have been detained. Also held on subversion charges is labor activist Mochtar Pakpahan.

Several notable figures have been called for questioning by the attorney general and the police, including Megawati, journalist Goenawan Mohamad and government critic Ali Sadikin.

Singgih said his office might summon Abdurrahman Wahid, the well-known chief of the 30-million-member Nahdlatul Ulama, who the authorities say was a recipient of a PRD democracy award.

"Currently he hasn't yet been summoned. We'll have to see and it depends on how things develop," he said.

Singgih would not say how many times a witness could be summoned for questioning. "It can be five times or 10 times," he said.

He warned that depending on the outcome of the investigation, there is also a possibility that the witnesses may become suspects.

"They could become suspects. It all depends on the results of the investigation," he remarked.

Singgih confirmed that members of yet another pressure group, the Indonesian People's Council (Majelis Rakyat Indonesia, or Mari), would be questioned.

"Yes, they will be investigated. About 30 of them," he said.

Mari was formed early in July by labor activists and human rights campaigners to force the government to lower prices, uproot corruption and overhaul the political system.

Singgih reiterated that if evidence points in their direction they could also become suspects. (mds)

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