Susilo vows to comply with July 27 inquiry

JAKARTA (JP): One of the senior military officers to be questioned in connection with the July 27, 1996, attack on the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) headquarters, Lt. Gen. (ret) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, said on Monday he would comply with the ongoing case.

But Susilo, who was Jakarta Military chief of staff at the time of the incident, said the attack was not the work of disobedient military personnel.

"We can see that the case is very complicated. It was not the work of oknum (deviant personnel), but it was the work of the institution," said Susilo, who was installed on Saturday as coordinating minister for political, social and security affairs.

According to Susilo, it is important to open the case to the public to find those who initiated the attack on PDI headquarters on Jl. Diponegoro in Central Jakarta.

"It will be clear later who actually made the decision, gave the order and who had the initiative (to attack the place).

"I believe the joint (investigation) team can unveil all these things," he said.

The police and the military police, under great public pressure, announced last year it was reopening the investigation into the attack. According to some, those who carried out the attack on PDI members loyal to ousted party leader Megawati Soekarnoputri received back-up from police officers and military personnel.

Following the completion of the police investigation into the alleged role of civilians in the attack, the government then established a joint military-police team to investigate the suspected involvement of around 45 military and police personnel, including Susilo.

Earlier this month, the head of the investigation team, Col. Hendardji, said 12 high-ranking officers could be named as suspects in the case. Susilo's name was among the possible suspects.

One day after his appointment as the new coordinating minister for political, social and security affairs, the team confirmed Susilo would be questioned a second time.

Susilo confirmed he would attend his questioning on Thursday this week, saying his work in the Cabinet would not be disturbed by the case.

"Everybody is equal under the law. I hope the case can be made public so we all know where the main problems of the case are.

"Besides, I was not the one who had the authority to command the troops at that time," Susilo said.

The 1996 takeover of PDI headquarters was followed by unrest throughout the city. According to official figures, five people died and 23 others went missing in the violence. But many in the public believe these figures are higher. (dja)