Unclear issues in mass media

Unclear issues in mass media

From Suara Karya

The polemics on the possible issuance of presidential edict by
President Abdurrahman Wahid have been raging, until finally the
President himself denied he would issue an edict. However,
several circles are still questioning this, as if the edict will
be issued at its own time, especially when the special session of
the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) materializes.

I think the edict issue is part of a systematic attempt to
form public opinion through the mass media by certain circles to
exacerbate the situation. There are attempts to play one against
another between the military/police and the President by
perpetuating issues which are yet unclear. This includes the
purported plan to replace the military commander and army chief
of staff prior to the issuing of the first and second
memorandums.

The military/police's stance is viewed as positive in the eyes
of the people when voting to "abstain" in the antagonism between
the President and the legislature in connection of the issuing of
the second memorandum of censure. With that stance the
military/police have been judged by the public as having taken a
step toward realizing their new paradigm as neutral and impartial
defense and security forces. They appear more mature, unwilling
to be trapped into siding with certain parties seeking their
support.

Due to that, I was rather surprised when some military/police
elements suddenly commented on the still unclear presidential
edict issue. Knowingly or unknowingly, such a comment has again
trapped the military/police into involvement in political forum.
What's the use of commenting on issues which are unclear? What
good does it do for the military/police?

From the beginning, as far as I know, the military's/police's
neutrality in facing this country's political situation has
become more evident; they always refer to constitutional
endeavors. So they look increasingly more respectable in their
capacity as guardians of security based on the Constitution.

With this understanding, if there are parties which try to
play politics through unconstitutional means, the military/police
are ready to take resolute measures against them regardless of
their status including the President. However, to determine
whether an action is constitutional or not needs an argumentation
based on clear state laws. If necessary the views of the Supreme
Court and experts in state laws should be sought. But beware of
state legal experts who offer comments to pursue their own
political interests.

MOCHTAR RUSTAMADJI

Jakarta