Threats to MPR session dismissed

YOGYAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) affirmed yesterday there has not been any political movements staged to disrupt the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) general session next March.

The assistant to the Armed Forces Chief of Sociopolitical Affairs, Maj. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, made clear yesterday that ABRI was, however, taking precautions against possible disruption.

"So far, there has not been any group or movement which seeks to disrupt the 1998 Assembly's plenary session," he told reporters after speaking at a meeting of 174 public relations officers of state institutions at Hotel Garuda here yesterday.

The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) is currently preparing materials to be deliberated when they reconvene next March to elect a president, vice president and endorse the State Policy Guidelines.

Bambang said yesterday that everybody should help create a situation that is favorable for the Assembly to hold its session. He also hoped there would be no disruption or any "antiestablishment movements" seeking to do "bad things" or force radical change in the country.

Responding to questions on the Armed Forces' attitude toward those critical of the government, Bambang said the Armed Forces accommodated constructive thinking.

However, ABRI will keep vigil and pay attention to all contemporary political issues.

"The alertness is there," said Bambang, who is also the deputy chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly's ad hoc committee in charge of drafting state policies.

He said the Assembly next March can be considered a success if it achieves its political goals and manages to maintain security. It would be a success, for instance, if it is able to endorse the State Policy Guidelines, if presidential accountability is accepted and if the Assembly elects the best people as the next president and vice president.

"It's all for the continuity of this nation's development," he said.

He dismissed speculation that Indonesia would be in a critical situation, for example in the form of a vacuum of power, following the Assembly's session. "We have to be optimistic there will be no critical situation afterward. God willing," he said. (23/09)