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)