Subagyo hails Amien for wise criticism

BANDUNG (JP): Army Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo praised the outspoken scholar Amien Rais yesterday for his mature and wise criticism of the government.

The general said the Armed Forces (ABRI) would accommodate the views of the chairman of the 28 million-strong Moslem organization Muhammadiyah because they were always presented through constitutional channels and in a constructive spirit.

"Well-meaning advice intended to improve the current situation will always receive a good response from society and from ABRI," Subagyo said after opening a military meeting at the Infantry's Arms Center (Pussenif) in Bandung yesterday.

Police Chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo said last week that police want to question Amien about a meeting which he organized in Yogyakarta last month. The meeting allegedly discussed a campaign to disrupt stability and order and mobilize one million people to coincide with the reelection of President Soeharto and the election of B.J. Habibie as Vice President early this month.

Sofian Effendi, one of 18 participants in the meeting, reported to then state minister of research and technology B.J. Habibie that plans to unleash a "people's power" movement were discussed during the meeting.

Arifin Panigoro, the major shareholder in the country's largest private oil and gas company, Medco Energi Corporation, is under police investigation for allegedly making anti-government remarks during the meeting.

President Soeharto invited Arifin to Merdeka Palace to advise him on the oil and gas industry last year. Arifin is widely respected for his success in the oil industry, for long the domain of Western companies alone.

Amien said last week he could provide the police with a complete recording and minutes of the meeting to prove the allegations were groundless.

"We can improve the situation if we work shoulder to shoulder and if we are not easily influenced by irresponsible individuals," Subagyo said.

During yesterday's meeting, Subagyo was accompanied by the Commander of the Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto and Pussenif chief Maj. Gen. Sumardi.

Prabowo also recently directed positive comments toward Amien Rais.

Analysts have praised Amien's success in portraying himself as the nation's informal leader.

"ABRI also respects student opinions because they are the future of the nation," Subagyo remarked. (43/prb)