Wiranto asked to anticipate Jakarta problems

JAKARTA (JP): Army Chief of Staff Gen. Wismoyo Arismunandar asked newly-installed Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Wiranto yesterday to detect and stop any efforts made to undermine the unity of the nation, as early as possible.

In his speech at the induction of Wiranto as the new commander, replacing Maj. Gen Hendropriyono at the Jakarta Military Headquarters, Wismoyo said that the power of the unity and integrity of the nation "requires conceptual, integrated, directed and continuous development to prevent attempts which could harm the nation's unity.

As a big nation, with a diverse ethnic population, Indonesia is always prone to situations which could threaten its unity and integrity, the four-star general said.

Wismoyo therefore asked Wiranto, who had just received a rank promotion to become major general only hours before, to "fully recognize the characters and potency of the people involved to avoid alarming situations which could, in turn, weaken the strength of our nation".

Even though Wismoyo gave no further explanation, his statement could be interpreted as further revealing the connection between the removal of Wiranto's predecessor Maj. Gen. Hendropriyono and a series of public disturbances which have taken place in the city, especially during last month's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting.

Wismoyo also asked the new officer to intensify cooperation with all related institutions and parties in the city.

"We realize that the area overseen by the Greater Jakarta Military is quite complicated and challenging," he said.

A number of security problems which occur here do not stand alone but are frequently linked with social, economic and cultural issues, he said.

The security problems in the city are not just the responsibility of the military baton, but the whole community as well, Wismoyo said.

Yesterday's ceremony was attended by approximately 2,000 people from various social and economic areas. They included State Minister of Youth and Sports Hayono Isman, State Minister of Agrarian Affairs/Chairman of the National Land Agency Soni Harsono, a number of commanders of other regional military batons, military attaches of foreign countries, businessmen, artists, press, relatives of President Soeharto and flamboyant figure, Yorrys Raweyai, of the Pemuda Pancasila youth organization.

The ceremony, which was also attended by hundreds of military, police, navy and air force personnel also presented a series of attractions.

The ceremony ended with the traditional farewell event in which Hendro got into his private car, which he drove himself, and left the headquarters slowly, in the midst of rain. (bsr)

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