Jakarta – Underscoring its high-profile role in the country, the Indonesian military has warned it would not tolerate any attempt to disrupt upcoming elections and told workers that instead of staging protests, they should help maintain security and order.
A Jakarta Post report yesterday said Defence Minister and armed forces (ABRI) chief General Wiranto had made it clear on Friday that he would not tolerate any attempt to foil or disturb the June general election and presidential election later this year.
The general said ABRI would take all necessary measures to ensure free, just and fair elections.
"The success of the two national agendas is the only gateway for the nation to leave the current crisis and enter the 21st century," he said at Bandung.
He also reiterated that ABRI would remain neutral during the election process and accept the result, whatever it was.
Meanwhile, Brawijaya Military Commander Major-General Ryamizard Ryacudu told protesting workers at household-goods maker PT Maspion to postpone their demands for pay rises and better working conditions.
The Indonesian Observer yesterday quoted him as saying that they should be happy enough to be employed amid the country's worst economic turmoil in decades. "Millions of people in East Java are unemployed. They should be grateful and delay their demands until the economy recovers," the major-general, who oversees security in the province, was quoted by Antara as saying.
He called on protesting workers to help maintain security and order when the nation is facing tough times as a result of the crisis.
"In these difficult conditions, let's jointly maintain order and not make others unhappy," he said sternly.
"If Maspion increases the wages of its workers, it will affect small-scale companies that can't afford to do so."
For eight days, Maspion workers have been demanding higher wages as well as more food and transportation allowances. They have clashed several times with security forces.
On Wednesday, police arrested at least five people in a clash between security forces and protesters in the biggest rally so far. Troops accused the five of instigating the demonstration.
The major-general, who is former Vice-President Try Sutrisno's son-in-law, warned other workers and activists not to join further protests by Maspion workers.
He said bigger demonstrations could worsen the situation and may provoke workers from other companies in East Java to take to the streets.