Subagyo hails Amien for wise criticism

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)