Lukmanul Hakim/Fitri & GB, Jakarta – National Police Chief General S. Bimantoro has backed-up claims made by national leaders last week that People's Democratic Party (PRD) members were involved in creating anarchy at a rally of pro-President Abdurrahman Wahid supporters in East Java last week.
"According to a report from the East Java Police Chief, there are indications of other elements' involvement in the anarchic action in East Java, among them, the PRD," said Bimantoro after attending the launch of a book entitled: "General RS Soekanto Tjokrodiatmodjo (1945-1949): Founding Father of the National Police" at the National Police headquarters, Jl Trunojoyo, South Jakarta, Monday. He did not elaborate.
Late last week, Chairman of the Golkar Party and Speaker of the House of Representatives Akbar Tanjung and Golkar Central Leaders' Council Chairman Mahadi Sinambela said they suspected "communist" and PRD members had infiltrated a massive demonstration of pro-Wahid supporters at the East Java Provincial Legislative Council on Wednesday.
Demonstrators later moved the 1 km to the provincial headquarters of the party and set it ablaze. Their claims were reiterated by Minister of Defense Mahfud MD. Other Golkar offices were targeted last week and several trashed and the attacks continue this week also in East Java.
The action was triggered by the House's decision to send a memorandum to President Wahid after it accepted a report implicating him in two financial scandals on Friday.
"As of now, we are continuing to study the report and I have ordered the East Java Police to continue with their investigations and legal actions according to procedures," said Bimantoro.
"We are investigating the background of the anarchic events some time ago. Because not all are Nahdlatul Ulama members," said Bimantoro. President Wahid headed the NU, Indonesia's largest Muslim organisation, for 15 years before becoming president.
Bimantoro said 11 people had been arrested over the two-day demonstration from 7-8 February. "Results from the East Java Police investigation shows, 11 people have been arrested. And, KH Hasyim Muzadi has come to National Police headquarters to show his support," told Bimantoro. Hasyim Muzadi is head of the Nahdlatul Ulama.
"Hasyim Muzadi asked if there were any NU members who violated [the law]. He asked that the investigations proceed accordingly," said Bimantoro ending the brief interlude with the press.
Last Friday, PRD Chairman Budiman Sudjatmiko and the party's legal team filed a complaint against the Golkar leadership and challenged them to produce evidence to back-up their claims.