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)