Sutiyoso told to resign over 1996 incident

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)