Agencies in Jakarta and Dili – A senior Indonesian army general admitted yesterday that pro-Jakarta militias and some disgruntled Indonesian soldiers had committed murder and arson in East Timor.

Major-General Zacky Anwar Makarim, formerly in charge of military intelligence operations in the troubled territory, told the government-sanctioned Inquiry Commission on East Timor Human Rights Abuses the acts were committed partly because of dissatisfaction over the August 30 ballot, which they alleged the United Nations rigged in favour of independence for East Timor.

"There were murders and arson by militias and soldiers as individuals. It's part of the 'amok' culture of Indonesian society. But it was not something done systematically," General Zacky said after being questioned by the panel on his alleged role in the September atrocities. He did not answer when asked whether he had anticipated these outbreaks of violence, as the officer in charge of intelligence in the region since early July. Instead, he said: "Violence was also committed by pro- independence people."

General Zacky blamed the UN mission that organised the poll for "cheating" pro-Indonesian East Timorese. "In our prediction, we would either lose or win by a slight margin ... But only 21 per cent voted in favour of Indonesia's continued rule in East Timor ... It was really disappointing," he said.

Next week, the inquiry panel will question former foreign minister Ali Alatas and former co-ordinating minister for political affairs and security Feisal Tanjung.

The panel has so far questioned at least six generals, including the former commander of the Indonesian Defence Force, General Wiranto, and leaders of militia groups.

But former president Bacharuddin Habibie will not appear, one of his lawyers was quoted as saying yesterday.

Ruhut Sitompul said for Mr Habibie to testify would be "irrelevant" because he had already spoken about the violence in his accountability speech to the country's former legislature in September.