Wiranto launches book on Soeharto

JAKARTA: Former coordinating minister for political and security affairs Gen. (ret) Wiranto launched a book on Monday advising Indonesians to remain true to the 1998 reform spirit that ended Soeharto's three decades of authoritarian rule.

The book, titled Bersaksi di Tengah Badai (To testify in the midst of a storm), also relates his experience as a minister under three presidents: Soeharto, B.J. Habibie and Abdurrahman Wahid. It is Wiranto's third book.

He said the book should serve as a reminder to all leaders and Indonesians to pursue the reforms sought during the 1998 reform movement.

No significant achievements had been made since the beginning of the reform movement five years ago, he told a press briefing.

Wiranto has been touted as a presidential candidate representing the Golkar Party and the tiny Indonesian Workers Party (PPI). He has also been indicted by East Timor prosecutors for his alleged role in the mass violence that followed the former province's vote to separate from Indonesia in 1999. -- JP