Devi Asmarani, Jakarta – Indonesian Defence Minister Juwono Sudarsono has warned of a recurring wave of violence in the country fomented by people who are unhappy with the government's ongoing probe into the corruption case of former President Suharto.

Mr Juwono told a seminar on Thursday that certain parties that had benefited from the 32-year-long regime of Mr Suharto, who has been named a suspect in an abuse of power probe, would do anything to obstruct the Attorney-General's investigation, as it might implicate them or threaten their business interests.

Intelligence reports indicated that the former cronies of Mr Suharto had been supplying money, arms and people to troubled areas, particularly in Maluku, Irian Jaya, Aceh, Java and in Indonesia's former territory of East Timor, he said.

"I think, without being too conspiratorial, there have been attempts to overstretch our police and military forces and undermine the credibility of Gus Dur," he said.

He said the police and the military intelligence were working to seek legal evidence to bring these riot masterminds – "at least the public figures and then, hopefully, the agitators in Jakarta" – to court.

"But, of course, we have to take the risk that people who are being investigated may resort to violence," he said. "Using arms, people, and supplies of money simultaneously will create a semblance of uncertainty and instability in four places at the same time: Aceh, Maluku, Irian Jaya and Java."

Mr Juwono did not name any of the alleged culprits, but stressed that they were not necessarily members of the Suharto family. More likely, they are Mr Suharto's associates who managed to "abandon ship" at the last minute before his fall from grace following his resignation in May 1998 on fears that they might be subjected to legal investigation for corruption, he said.

Mr Juwono said efforts to destabilise the country by these people, some of whom are military members and some, civilians, had begun during the previous administration of Mr B.J. Habibie. "I think this pattern is now being repeated in different forms, in different places."

Finding supporting evidence to arrest or prosecute them, however, proved very hard, he said. "These people work under the so-called cell system, they drop money to the people with no written instructions."

President Abdurrahman had told a forum of politicians in Bali last Saturday that one of the legislators now being investigated for their roles in the Suharto case was the main source of problems around the country. On Monday, the President had ordered the swift arrest of riot provocateurs, which triggered much criticism, especially among the lawmakers.