Surabaya braces for chaos prior to MPR special session
Surabaya braces for chaos prior to MPR special session
SURABAYA, East Java (JP): The East Java Police have detected
mass movements aimed at creating unrest in several areas in the
province ahead of the planned special session of the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR), an officer said.
Speaking during a meeting with local leaders of political
parties, mass organizations and non-governmental organizations on
Monday evening, East Java Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Iman
Hariyadi said that based on intelligence reports, there were
indications that such movements were taking place.
"Our intelligence reports have detected the movements, with
the purpose of causing disorder in several areas in the
province," Iman said without elaborating.
Iman said that East Java was among the country's most watched
provinces in terms of security. The province is the stronghold of
Abdurrahman, who was born in Jombang.
"Therefore, security authorities will make a maximum effort to
prevent any unrest, and if the persuasive approach proves
fruitless we will opt for repressive measures in accordance with
standard procedures," Iman said.
He maintained that if these mass movements were allowed to
take place they would pose a serious risk to human rights.
"So we don't want to take any risk and will take action
against those who want to endanger public safety," he said.
Riots shook several East Java towns late in May after the
House of Representatives called for an Assembly special session
to demand Abdurrahman account for his government's performance.
Surabaya has continued to see protests against the session,
scheduled to open on Aug. 1.
A group of 100 people calling themselves the East Java
Students and People Alliance staged a protest outside the
provincial legislative council building on Tuesday.
Security personnel forced the protesters away from the
compound. A minor scuffle took place but no injuries were
reported.
The demonstrators, in a statement, rejected the session and
insisted that Abdurrahman and Vice President Megawati
Soekarnoputri serve out their term which ends in 2004.
The group also demanded the former ruling Golkar Party be
dissolved.
Holding pictures of Abdurrahman and Megawati, the protesters
tried to force their way into the council compound, only to be
met by some 200 police personnel. The demonstrators attempted to
negotiate with the police to be allowed into the compound, but
were rebuffed.
"We will fight to prevent the special session from taking
place," group coordinator Kurniawan said, adding that there was a
conspiracy to topple Abdurrahman. (nur/emf)