Sutiyoso told to resign over 1996 incident

JAKARTA (JP): About 500 activists of the Society of Victims of the July 27, 1996 Tragedy protested in front of City Hall on Monday, demanding Governor Sutiyoso step down following his alleged involvement in the 1996 incident.

"Sutiyoso should be held accountable because he was the Jakarta military commander at that time," the group's coordinator, Edi Siswoyo, said.

"We demand Sutiyoso resign from his post on Jan. 1 next year at the latest because he is not legally and morally fit for the position," Edi added.

Military-backed supporters of rival chairman Soerjadi stormed the headquarters of the then Megawati Soekarnoputri-led Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) on July 27, 1996.

Quoting media reports, Edi said five people were killed, 149 people injured and 23 others went missing during the incident. "One hundred and thirty-six Megawati supporters were arrested in the tragedy aftermath."

Meanwhile, official data states that only two people were killed and 26 others injured, while 22 buildings, including seven banks and an agriculture ministry building, were badly damaged and some 91 vehicles, including five buses and two motorcycles, were burned.

"The violent takeover of PDI headquarters, which also caused material losses, was a violation of people's basic rights," Edi said, but did not elaborate.

The protesters also demanded Sutiyoso resign as governor because he had failed to eliminate corruption, collusion and nepotism in the city administration.

"Sutiyoso has failed to eliminate rampant corruption, collusion and nepotism in the city administration, because he is part of the New Order or status quo regime," they said in a statement read out by Edi.

The protesters made their demand in front of City Hall's barb- wire fence after they were denied entry into the building complex.

They then marched to the nearby City Council building and were accepted by deputy council speaker Tarmidi Suhardjo of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction.

The protesters urged city councilors to open their eyes, hearts and ears to the city residents' aspirations in pursuant of total reform.

Ill-behaved

Tarmidi told the protesters that he would ask the council leaders to have a special meeting to discuss their demand. "The meeting will be in two or three days."

Tarmidi became visibly angry when the protesters, mostly teenagers, booed at the city councilors.

"You must behave yourselves, otherwise you will lose the people's sympathy," he said.

He later told reporters that he was of the opinion that Sutiyoso would deny any responsibility for the incident.

"I have a feeling that Sutiyoso will reply that he was just following orders from his superiors, just as what former home minister Syarwan Hamid did," he told reporters.

He said he met Syarwan soon after Soeharto resigned from the presidency in May last year and asked the former minister about the July 1996 incident.

"I was just following orders," Tarmidi quoted Syarwan as saying.

"All generals would say the same. In the end, we could have to drag Soeharto before the court to solve the problem. All problems lead back to Soeharto," he said.

Separately interviewed, Sutiyoso said the protesters made their demand at the wrong address.

"The protesters should channel their demand to the court, that's all. I don't want to make any further comment," he said.

"This is not the place to argue," he added. (05)