Wiranto asked to anticipate Jakarta problems

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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