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