Jakarta – Recent comments by the President that he will soon detain certain politicians who are fanning the flames of national disintegration in order to destabilise his presidency have created considerable confusion and controversy. The President has made the allegations in his usual cryptic style, unleashing a tidal wave of speculation in the local press, all chasing the elusive answer to 'Who's on the President's list?'
Confusion has arisen because the Attorney General indeed plans to question certain serving government members and business leaders in connection with his investigations into former President Suharto's wealth. This list of around 115 names, according to Cabinet Secretary Marsilam Simanjuntak, was issued by the Attorney General's office who required the formal approval of the President to call serving parliamentarians.
Speaker of the House and Golkar Chairman, Akbar Tanjung, told Detik yesterday that he has received a copy of the list in order to verify the identities and current positions of serving parliamentarians. "But that is not a political case, rather it is a legal case which relates to corruption, collusion and nepotism during former regimes," he said.
The "political case" Akbar refers has erupted because of comments made by the President on the weekend, while attending the National Discussion Forum in Bali, that he has already signed the necessary decrees for the police to investigate a list of names suspected of stirring up and directly funding recent communal unrest.
Yesterday, while in North Sumatra, he stated that a 15 July deadline had been set for the detention of the trouble makers, with or without proof. "If it can't be proved, they can be freed. But they can be detained till the annual session [of the Parliament] is finished. I think they'll definately think twice [before doing it again]," he said.
It is no coincidence that the move has come only days after a plenary session of the House voted to exercise their interpellation right. That is, to call the President to explain the sacking of two Ministers from the Indonesian Democratic of Struggle (PDI-P) and Golkar parties. The overwhelming majority of House members who voted to call the President to account may reject his reply and may even move to eventually impeach him.
The interpellation motion is, however, only the most concrete manifestation of a growing divide between the President and certain factions within his coalition government. A divide seen widening by the day as the annual August session of the parliament approaches.
For days now, the Indonesian press has been jam-packed with speculation on who the President plans to detain, all triggered by the publication in this week's edition of Gatra magazine the names of 40 political and business figures which Gatra claims are on the President's "hitlist". The following is taken from the Gatra article (No34. Thn IV 8 Juli 2000) and contains additional notes on the backgrounds of those listed.
Wahid's Top 40 Hit List as published in Gatra
Fuad Bawazier
. A former Minister of Finance in the Habibie cabinet and leading figure of the "Central Axis" parliamentary faction of smaller Islamic parties.
Bawazier was extremely active in the campaign to elect Wahid President but has not been rewarded with a cabinet position. "We know all of the unrest is Fuad Bawazier's doing all because he didn't get a place in the government," Effendie Choirie, spokesperson for the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction which Wahid nominally heads, told Detik yesterday. In the past, the local media have linked him to unrest in Ambon, funding the Laskar Jihad or Jihad Warriors charged with murdering hundreds of Christians in Ambon and the Moluccus and to the campaign to maintain the ban on communism.
Ginandjar Kartasasmita
. The Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry prior to and during the worst of the economic crisis in the final years of the Suharto regime.
He is currently the Golkar party's Deputy Speaker of the Peoples' Consultative Assembly. Close to former presidents Suharto and Habibie and to current Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri, he stands to gain from a Megawati-Akbar Tanjung leadership team should Wahid fall. "Violence, promoting demonstrations or riots, that's not from me. For me, the problems must be finished intellectually, with a cool head," Ginandjar told Detik by phone yesterday.
Arifin Panigoro
. Currently Head of the PDI-P's faction in the House, Panigoro was one of the driving forces behind the motion to exercise the interpellation right, threatening to sanction PDI-P members if they voted against. Close to Ginandjar and PDI-P Chairwoman Megawati.
Parni Hadi
. Chairman of the Republika newspaper linked to former President Habibie.
M. Yusuf Kalla
. Former Minister of Industry and Trade until fired by Wahid amid allegations of corruption. The sacking precipitated the move to exercise the House's interpellation right.
Agung Laksono
. From the Golkar party, Agung has been at the forefront of those calling for increased monitoring of the President's health and challenging the President's decision-making capabilities due to his near-blindness.
Amien Rais
. Speaker of the Peoples' Consultative Assembly, Chairman of the National mandate Party (PAN) and also a leading figure in the Central Axis which was instrumental in electing Wahid. He has gained a reputation for constant criticism of the President which has not necessarily enhanced his general popularity.
Akbar Tandjung
. Speaker of the House and Golkar Chairman, Akbar was a leading figure in Golkar during the Suharto regime when corruption ran rampant. One of the most consistent defenders of Syahril Sabirin. Former member of the Islamic Students' Association (HMI).
Syahril Sabirin
. Govenor of the central Bank (Bank Indonesia) during the Suharto, Habibie and Wahid governments. Now detained for involvement in the Bank Bali scandal.
Beddu Amang
. Former Head of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog). Two weeks ago, the Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP) found irregularities of about Rp 166 billion (US$19.5 million) in Bulog's nonbudgetary funds. Former HMI member.
Ja'far Umar Thalib
. Head of the Laskar Jihad reportedly responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Christians in Maluku and North Maluku provinces. Alledgedly funded by elite political players seeking to disrupt the Wahid presidency.
Fahmi Idris
. Former Minister of Manpower during the Suharto regime and Golkar Central Leaders' Council member.
Mochtar Pabottingi
. Leading figure of the National Sciences Institute (LIPI) and one of the foremost critics of Wahid's presidency.
Achmad Tirto Sudiro
. Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals (ICMI). Former HMI member.
Eggi Sudjana
. Leader of an Islamic organisation whose demonstrations have opposed Wahid and even reverted to violence. Alledgedly coordinating actions with Megawati's husband Taufik Kiemas.
Dawam Rahardjo
.
Adi Sasono
. Leading figure of the Peoples' Sovereignty Party (PDR). A longtime foe of Wahid, close to Eggi Sudjana.
Bustanil Arifin
. Another former Bulog Chairman. Former HMI member.
Mar'ie Muhammad
. Generally well respected former Minister of Finance during the Suharto regime. Former HMI member
Wiranto
. Former Coordinating Minister of Security and Defense and Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI). Resigned impending trial into human rights violations in East Timor. Longtime political ally of Habibie and exponent of the "green" or Islamic faction of the TNI.
R. Hartono
. Former Minister of Home Affairs during Suharto regime and retired General.
Indria Samego
. Critic from LIPI.
Harmoko
. Former Minister of Information under Suharto.
Eki Syachrudin
. Golkar parliamentarian and former member of HMI.
A.A. Baramuli
. Former head of the Supreme Advisory Council under Suharto. Now a suspect in the Bank Bali scandal investigations.
A. Watik Pratiknya
. Leader of The Habibie Centre and close to the former President.
Yorrys Raweyai
. Notorious leader of Pemuda Pancasila (Pancasila Youth) organisation employed by the New Order regime of Suharto as provocateurs. Still active, reportedly in Papua.
Djaja Suparman
. Former Commander of the Army Strategic Reserves (Kostrad). Close to Habibie and Wiranto.
Nugroho Djajoesman
. Former Commander of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police and close to Habibie.
Syarwin Hamid
. Former Minister of Home Affairs under Suharto. Linked to the separatist "Free Riau Movement".
Feisal Tanjung
. Former Commander of TNI and linked to numerous cases of human rights abuses and corruption.
Rahardi Ramelan
. Former Minister of Industry and Trade. Close to Habibie.
Jimly Ashiddiqie
. Leader of The Habibie Centre.
Farid R Fagih
. Vocal critic of the President in relation to the theft of US$4.2 million from Bulog by Wahid's former masseuse.
Rustam Kastor
. Retired TNI officer rumored to be linked to Maluku unrest.
Abdul Kadir Jaelani
. Leader of the Crescent Star Party (PBB) and advocate of "radical' Islam.
Habib Rizieq
. Leader of the Defenders of Islam (FPI) linked to the Suharto regime, TNI and recent violence in Jakarta.
Ahmad Sumargono
. Leader of the Indonesian Committee for World Muslim Solidarity linked to the Suharto regime, TNI and recent violence in Jakarta.
Al Chaidar
. A writer and "radical" Islam advocate.
Suharto
. Former President who many claim is behind all attempts to destabilise the country and reassert the power of his associates in government and the military.
[Reporters: Suwarjono, Rusdi Mathari, Budi Santosa, Hestiana Dharmastuti/Lyndal Meehan]