President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono greets presidential hopeful Prabowo Subianto at the State Palace on Dec. 24, 2013. (Rumgapres Photo/Abror Rizki)
Jakarta. Questions over presidential hopeful Prabowo Subianto’s alleged role in human rights abuses surrounding the fall of authoritarian leader Suharto — long part of the conversation surrounding his political ambitions — came to a head over the weekend with the alleged leak of a classified military document, which spread rapidly on social media.
The typewritten letter, signed by military top brass on Aug. 21, 1998, recommended the then-general’s dismissal over his misinterpretation of orders.
Prabowo’s rights record sparked a heated exchange between him and Jusuf Kalla — the opposing ticket’s vice presidential contender — during the first presidential debate on Monday.
The candidate — who is also chairman of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) — has denied committing rights abuses and has characterized the military’s actions as security measures to safeguard the 1997 elections and the 1998 People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) general meeting. He has denied accusations that he kidnapped 13 activists, who remain missing.
During the debate, Prabowo said he acted as he was “ordered by my supervisor,” visibly agitated, without revealing specifics. Indonesians go to the polls on July 9 to vote for the next president.
Veterans Association (Pepabri) chairman Agum Gumelar on Tuesday said that he had been told by Prabowo that the candidate had kidnapped the activists, at the direct command of Suharto, who died in 2008.
Prabowo has not verified that the conversation occurred.
The leaked letter — which was posted on Twitter and Facebook accounts this week — stated that the Soldiers’ Honorary Council (DKP), which supervises soldiers and carries out punishments for infractions, had conducted an investigation into Prabowo’s actions and concluded that he acted outside the parameters of his orders.
Lt. Gen. Fachrul Razi, among the former generals to sign the letter, said that the high command spared Prabowo from dishonorable discharge only because he was married to Suharto’s daughter at the time.
Agum told Metro TV that Prabowo lied to the DKP but had since revealed to him that the kidnappings were an order that came from the top.
“I was quite shocked because he did not say anything about that when the DKP questioned him,” he said.
Agum said he was supporting Joko for the presidency; Fachrul would not comment on his political affiliation.
During the debate, Prabowo said he acted as he was “ordered by my supervisor,” visibly agitated, without revealing specifics. Indonesians go to the polls on July 9 to vote for the next president.
Veterans Association (Pepabri) chairman Agum Gumelar on Tuesday said that he had been told by Prabowo that the candidate had kidnapped the activists, at the direct command of Suharto, who died in 2008.
Prabowo has not verified that the conversation occurred.
The leaked letter — which was posted on Twitter and Facebook accounts this week — stated that the Soldiers’ Honorary Council (DKP), which supervises soldiers and carries out punishments for infractions, had conducted an investigation into Prabowo’s actions and concluded that he acted outside the parameters of his orders.
Lt. Gen. Fachrul Razi, among the former generals to sign the letter, said that the high command spared Prabowo from dishonorable discharge only because he was married to Suharto’s daughter at the time.
Agum told Metro TV that Prabowo lied to the DKP but had since revealed to him that the kidnappings were an order that came from the top.
“I was quite shocked because he did not say anything about that when the DKP questioned him,” he said.
Agum said he was supporting Joko for the presidency; Fachrul would not comment on his political affiliation.
Nurul Arifin, a spokeswoman for the campaign of Prabowo and his vice presidential running mate Hatta Rajasa,urged an investigation into the leak.
“Such a top secret document should have not been spread in public,” she said. “There should be investigation into who leaked it, and also its authenticity.”
Fachrul, as a signatory, told Tempo on Monday that the letter was valid.
National Intelligence Agency chief Marciano Norman said that the military would work to find the source of the leak.
“Everything must be evaluated,” he said. “Such a document must not be made public.”
“Such a top secret document should have not been spread in public,” she said. “There should be investigation into who leaked it, and also its authenticity.”
Fachrul, as a signatory, told Tempo on Monday that the letter was valid.
National Intelligence Agency chief Marciano Norman said that the military would work to find the source of the leak.
“Everything must be evaluated,” he said. “Such a document must not be made public.”
By Jakarta Globe on 08:03 pm Jun 12, 2014
No comments:
Post a Comment