June 7, 2002 11:58 PM

Rais Supports Militarism Over Democracy

Laksamana.Net - People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) speaker Amien Rais says religious conflict in Indonesia should be tackled with a militaristic approach, rather than democracy. 

“A cautious approach has resulted in bomb explosions here and there, shedding people’s blood," he was quoted as saying by state news agency Antara on Friday (7/6/02). 

He said that in overcoming clashes between conflicting groups, security authorities have to choose between two alternatives: adopting a democratic approach or a militaristic one. 

The democratic option has led to bomb explosions, whereas the militaristic approach will stop the bloodshed, he said. 

"So I would choose the second alternative, even if it somewhat tarnishes the image of democracy." 

Rais, who leads the Islam-oriented National Mandate Party (PAN), said anything is tolerated under democracy, causing the government to lose its authority, so bombs explode and people get killed. 

He stressed that a militaristic approach does not mean the armed forces should be trigger-happy, adding the government should catch all parties that provoke unrest. 

"The point is to stop clashes between religious groups," he said. 

The promotion of democracy should play second fiddle when it comes to protecting human lives, he added. 

The military protects human lives? Try telling that to people in Maluku province, where members of the armed forces have at times taken sides in the prolonged conflict between Muslims and Christians. 

The military protects human lives? Try telling that to three people who were shot dead by state troops in Aceh province on Thursday. 

Aceh military spokesman Major Zaenal Mutaqin said the three men had been wearing military uniforms, but were not carrying identity cards, when they were shot during a clash in North Aceh between government troops and separatist rebels from the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). 

"About a hundred GAM members were involved in the armed clash. The others had fled to the safety of the forests," he said. 

The spokesman said that during the 30-minute encounter, the state troops seized one motorcycle, three cars, some television sets, refrigerators and small portable radio receivers/transmitters. 

He said the troops were not able to seize any firearms, as the fleeing separatists had done their best to leave none, including those allegedly used by the fallen rebels.