Jakarta – Indonesian military chief General Wiranto on Thursday warned of national disintegration and issued orders to the armed forces to act firmly to safeguard public order and national safety.
"I order the entire ranks of ABRI (the Indonesian armed forces) at all levels to act firmly for the sake of public order and national safety," Wiranto said in a press release issued here. "Halt all violations of laws and regulations, act firmly against criminals," Wiranto told the military.
He said that "certain sides" were systematically muddying the conditions by floating rumors that only made the population more confused and hindered the nation from overcoming the currrent crisis. "The aim of the spreading of those rumors is to weaken the confidence of the people in state institutions, including ABRI.
"If this state of affairs is allowed to continue, the nation will fall deeper into crisis in all fields, and the end result would be unavoidable internal conflicts... which will lead to the disintegration of the nation," Wiranto said.
He also said that following the economic crisis that struck the country in the middle of last year crime was on the rise in the regions. Wiranto however said that whatever "firm action" the military took, they would still act within the confines of the laws. "The government, together with ABRI will not tolerate anyone that engages in activities or movements to disturb the security, stability and public order," Coordinating Minister for Security and Political Affairs, Feisal Tanjung said in a separate press release.
Tanjung warned that there were indications that there was a group of people who wrongly interpreted reforms and was using it as a tool to enforce their will, in disregard of the law and public interest. But he did not give further details or names.
[According to the June 18 Jakarta Post, Wiranto has dismissed speculation that he has ambitions to become the next president. His statement followed calls for him to lead the nation by around 400 religious leaders in East Java - James Balowski.]