Unsolved mysteries of May 14

Were the riots of May 14 in Jakarta a spontaneous action by the masses? The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has come to the conclusion that they were instigated by an organized group. This (unspecified) group made use of the fact that the state security apparatus was at that time preoccupied with watching the students' actions on campus. Komnas HAM, represented by its secretary-general Baharuddin Lopa, has urged the government to conduct an investigation.

It is surprising indeed that the biggest rioting in the history of the (Soeharto) New Order is still not being tackled adequately. Given the extent of the damage caused, the logical thing for the government to do would be to start an investigation. This is truer still since so many mysteries have surfaced surrounding the incident. For example, a number of eyewitnesses have told of trucks dropping agents provocateurs at several flash points. It was they who started the looting and burning, and left when the masses followed in their wake.

Another mystery concerns the belated anticipation on the part of the security apparatus. The chief of the Armed Forces, later supported by the Army Strategic Reserves (Kostrad) Division I Commander, explained the riots spread so rapidly that the troops were not ready. This, however, needs further explanation. In light of the rapidly rising tensions following the shooting of the Trisakti students on May 12, the security apparatus should have immediately taken anticipatory measures.

The many mysteries that remain have meanwhile given rise to speculation among the people. One of the most widespread is that the May 14 riots, the shooting of the Trisakti students and the abductions of proreform activists in the past months are all connected. Speculation has it that all those incidents happened as a result of existing political rivalries in the upper echelons of the power elite, and that they were planned by a certain group with the aim of achieving its own political ends.

If left to ferment, the speculation will grow and flourish in all kinds of versions. It is time the Armed Forces solve those mysteries once and for all. If our people don't believe that their country is safe and sound, how are we ever to resolve the economic and political crisis in which we are at present entangled?

-- Republika, Jakarta