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Habibie blames communists, socialists

Republika - May 4, 1999 (BBC summary)

Jakarta – President B.J. Habibie is concerned over clashes involving Muslim sympathizers of political parties. "He is concerned over clashes between political parties, especially those involving Muslims," Najamuddin Ramly, general chairman of the Central Executive Board of the Muhammadiyah Indonesia's second largest Muslim mass organization Youth Movement, said at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta yesterday afternoon.

"Muslims massacred one another even before campaigning started," Najamuddin said. According to Najamuddin, his movement will immediately hold a get-together with all political parties to prevent further clashes involving Muslims.

Najamuddin added that youths belonging to different religions will hold a get-together on 15th May. A campaign on the socialization of religions and national harmony will be simultaneously inaugurated.

Najamuddin cited the head of state as revealing the existence of a movement which wants to disintegrate the nation. The president dubbed the movement as KOMAS, a group of communists, marhaenists Indonesian-styled socialists, and socialists.

"This movement employs all means and disregards ethics. They want to seize power by all means," Najamuddin quoted Habibie as saying. The head of state received Najamuddin and other members of the Interreligious National Youths Get-Together Organizing Committee.

According to Habibie, KOMAS has triggered riots and even committed bombing. "They have tried to introduce the so-called popular platform preceding word received in English but have disregarded ethics," Najamuddin quoted Habibie as saying. When asked whether KOMAS has become an organization, Habibie described KOMAS as a "strange movement." KOMAS wants to disrupt political, economic, and other changes," Najamuddin quoted Habibie as saying.

According to Najamuddin, the president suggested the establishment of a board similar to a council of university students during his meeting with the organizing committee. "A board similar to a council of university students could serve as a forum for university students to learn to become democratic and dynamic and develop their talents," he quoted Habibie as saying.