Unsolved mysteries of May 14

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