> JAKARTA POST
> December 10, 1998
>
> Letter to the Editor
> Indonesia: Bizarre, absurd and deceitful
>
> I have been observing the situation in Indonesia and think it is bizarre,
> absurd and deceitful. Just look at the following:
>
> 1. Some 12 student activists were kidnapped by Group IV of the Army's
> special force (Kopassus). It is clear who the kidnappers were, but until
> now, they have not been arrested. Another 14 had mysteriously disappeared
> and the culprits are known.
>
> 2. The May 12 Trisakti incident. Four students were killed and many others
> injured by bullets. It is clear the shooters were members of the Armed
> Forces (ABRI) but to date, they have not been caught.
>
> 3. On May 13 and May 14, huge riots broke out in Jakarta and Surakarta.
> Thousands died, hundreds of shops and houses -- mostly Chinese owned -- were
> destroyed and torched as well as hundreds of motor vehicles. About 150
> Chinese women were raped. A joint fact-finding team has submitted its report
> but no follow up steps have been taken by the government or ABRI leaders.
>
> 4. The National Commission on Human Rights has reported its investigation on
> ABRI operations in Aceh and Irian Jaya. Thousands were killed and hundreds
> of women were raped. No steps have been taken by the government or ABRI
> leaders.
>
> 5. More than 150 people allegedly practicing black magic in the Banyuwangi
> area were killed in mysterious ways. Who was behind the killings? The
> government or ABRI leaders have never clarified the matter.
>
> 6. Bullets again. On Nov. 13, the Semanggi tragedy took place. Students and
> other community members who demonstrated against the Special Session of the
> People's Consultative Assembly were shot at indiscriminately by ABRI units.
> Fifteen died and hundreds were injured. So far, the culprits have not been
> found.
>
> 7. On Nov. 22, riots erupted in Ketapang, Jakarta. Twelve churches and
> schools were vandalized and burned down. Thirteen people died. It is not
> clear who was behind the riots.
>
> 8. Eighteen community figures, among whom were retired generals Kemal Idris
> and Ali Sadikin, Sri Edi Swasono, Sri Bintang Pamungkas, Sukmawati
> Soekarnoputriand Permadi have been interrogated by the police and charged
> with conspiracy.
>
> Probably they will shortly be brought to court, only because they dared to
> issue a joint communique that is seen as contrary to or against the
> government. It is actually only a statement of a different opinion. Or
> perhaps they were amid the demonstrating students and are viewed as
> instigating the students.
>
> The situation is really bizarre, absurd and deceitful.
>
> -name of author withheld upon request-