Behind the anti-Wahid demonstrations

The Indonesian Defence Minister has warned that the military could seize 
power if politicians don't settle their differences and run the country 
properly. The threat comes at a time when the push to oust President Wahid 
is gaining momentum although there have been massive demonstrations in his 
support in the eastern provinces of Indonesia.

A special parliamentary hearing into Wahid's alleged involvement in two 
bribery scandals by the People's Representative Council (the lower house of 
the parliament) concluded that Wahid was probably implicated in one scandal 
and gave false testimony in the other.

Wahid is not personally accused of benefiting from financial scandals; 
rather he is being accused of using inappropriate administrative measures 
thus giving an opportunity for close associates to make an improper use of 
some funds.

Who is behind the push?

On assuming the presidency in 1999, President Wahid acted quickly to 
curtail the influence of the military in political life. He appointed 
reform-minded officers to strategic positions and tried to weaken the 
dominance of the army by appointing naval officers to senior posts. Key 
elements of the military's intelligence network have also been dismantled 
thus weakening its power base.

However, considerable representation in national and regional governments 
gives the military considerable clout. It would be wrong to assume that the 
role of the military in Indonesia has ended.

Wahid became President with the support of Islamic parties, Golkar (former 
President Suharto's party) and the military.

The national government comprised Megawati's PDI-P with 34 per cent of the 
vote; Golkar with 22 per cent; Wahid's PKB with 13 per cent; PPP with 11 
per cent and Amien Rais's PAN with 7 per cent. ( PKB is the National 
Awakening Party; PDI-P is the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle; PAN 
is the National Mandate Party; PPP is the United Development Party).

When Suharto's rule ended the military had to regroup and form new 
alliances. It is far from a spent force politically and given a changed 
political landscape it may prove to be a force to be reckoned with. A new 
constitutional amendment extending the military's tenure in the legislature 
until 2009 was a victory for Suharto's loyalists and the military.

Megawati Sukarnoputri, Indonesia's Vice President, is playing her cards 
very close to her chest at the moment. There is speculation on what steps, 
if any, she would take.

One proposition is that she should be appointed President while Wahid is 
being investigated but at the moment her plans are not clear. It seems she 
is concerned about the legality of removing Wahid and the consequences of 
such a drastic step.

Meanwhile, Wahid's supporters were out in numbers in a show of force 
demonstrating their intent to defend Wahid, despite Wahid's pleas for calm. 
It is not yet clear whether anti-Wahid forces are strong enough to get rid 
of him.

In the post-Suharto Indonesia the right-wing Muslim forces and the military 
have found that they may have a common motive to remove Wahid.

They hope that it would head off the prosecution of Suharto-era crimes; and 
could see the installation of a government more compliant with the 
preservation of their financial and political interests.

The Australian Government would like to see Wahid out and replaced by a 
government fully compliant with the demands of the IMF and the imperialist 
powers.

It is little known that the Australian Government entered into an agreement 
with the Suharto Government to establish the Australia-Indonesia 
Development area.

Its aim was to (improve the environment for private sector trade and 
investment in the region. The agreement covers a number of provinces in the 
eastern part of Indonesia.

A report published by the Australian Government in collaboration with BHP 
and Pacific Power identifies several priority areas with the establishment 
of working groups in mining, agriculture and fisheries, tourism, education 
and transport.

It also has to be recalled that Paul Keating entered into a secret 
(Security) agreement with Suharto before he lost power in 1999.

The Wahid Government revoked the agreement made by Keating and suspended 
the agreement dealing with private sector development.

The political direction being taken by the Wahid Government is not to the 
liking of the Australian Government and other like-minded governments that 
see Indonesia as a happy hunting ground for big profits and want to make 
use of Indonesia in achieving wider objectives in Asia.

By whipping up anti-Wahid demonstrations, the deposed Suharto supporters, 
sections of the Indonesian armed forces and international big capital are 
attempting to use the so-called (people's power) card to achieve their 
reactionary objectives.