Youth activists protest Wiranto's statement

Youth activists protest Wiranto's statement

JAKARTA (JP): Youth activists on Thursday protested the recent
statement of Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces (ABRI)
Commander Gen. Wiranto in which he branded certain groups as
being opposed to the state ideology Pancasila.

The Indonesian Islamic Students Movement (PMII) claimed
Wiranto told an ABRI leadership meeting on Aug. 21 that the
group, along with a number of others, had openly opposed
Pancasila and demanded the freedom to adopt any ideology they
chose.

The movement's chairman, Chatibul Umam Kartawiranu, said the
accusation was intended to undermine the groups, which are noted
for their critical stance toward the government.

The other groups named by Wiranto were the Democratic People's
Party (PRD), the Indonesian Democratic Union Party (PUDI), the
Indonesian Workers Welfare Union (SBSI), the Moslem Solidarity
Committee and the Syuro Council.

The government recently lifted its ban on the PRD but has
refused to release its jailed leaders. PUDI and SBSI are led by
former legislator Sri Bintang Pamungkas and labor leader Muchtar
Pakpahan respectively. The two were the first political prisoners
released by President B.J. Habibie after he came to power in May.

Chatibul, who was accompanied by PMII secretary Achmad Rofik,
said Wiranto's remarks were reckless and hasty.

Wiranto also said in his August remarks that the groups had
openly threatened to "mobilize" the people if the government
ignored their demands.

"Groups which are critical of the government are always
considered to be its outright enemies and anti-Pancasila," added
Chatibul.

Chatibul demanded Wiranto retract his statement and apologize
to the movement.

The organization said that the New Order government under
Soeharto had "monopolized" the interpretation of Pancasila and
appealed to Wiranto and the new government not to make the same
mistake.

PMII was among those at the forefront of the reform movement
during the wave of protests demanding Soeharto's resignation
earlier this year.

Soeharto resigned on May 21 as his political support crumbled
amid the country's worst economic crisis in decades. (byg)