Vandalism in East Java

Vandalism in East Java

From Rakyat Merdeka

In view of the escalation in the political tension at home,
the Central Executive Board of the Muhammadiyah Students'
Association (IMM) issues herewith a call for wisdom and a
statement of the organization's stance as follows:

1. A quick response must be given to the continued heated
atmosphere in East Java following the vandalism committed by the
followers of President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid. The fact that
the masses supported Gus Dur are linked to Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)
and the National Awakening Party (PKB) clearly shows to us that
they demonstrate their great unwillingness toward, and
extraordinary rejection of, the acceptance by the plenary session
of the House of Representatives of the findings of the special
committee on Buloggate and Bruneigate. It must be realized that
the decision has been made with a majority of votes, an obvious
indication that the majority of legislators believe that Gus Dur
is involved in the two scandals.

2. There is a clear link between the process leading to the
emergence of these rallies and the demand that the protesters
have made. Their main demand that Gus Dur be maintained in office
until 2004 is still within tolerable limits in a process of
implementing democracy. However, anarchic acts in the form of
vandalism and destruction of public facilities are no longer
tolerable. Trees have been felled along Situbondo-Banyuwangi
road, Surabaya-Malang road has been blocked, damage has been done
to the office of the HMI Jember chapter, the office of Golkar in
Pasuruan, the office of the National Mandate Party (PAN) in
Situbondo, the campus of Muhammadiyah University in Gresik and
the IMM Malang chapter and Smart have been subjected to
intimidation. In this respect, security apparatuses should have
given serious attention to and seriously dealt with this matter.
They must have the courage to act firmly and indiscriminately
against all forms of anarchy.

3. Chairman of the NU East Java chapter, KH Ali Maschan Moesa,
has said that he could no longer keep the masses under control.
This statement is illogical and should not have been made by a
leader with great charisma as he is. An exemplary ulema must
assume responsibility for what his followers do (especially
considering that the protesters have carried NU attributes).

4. It is very clear that President Abdurrahman Wahid has failed
during this transition period in the reform era and therefore his
administration cannot be allowed to continue.

5. It is the obligation of members of the House of
Representatives/People's Consultative Assembly to introduce a
major correction in the top government leadership by immediately
convening a special session as the last resort in settling the
crisis.

GUNAWAN HIDAYAT

General Chairman

YUSUF WARSYIM

Secretary-General

IMM, Jakarta