Jakarta, Kompas
Online
Vice President Hamzah Haz appealed to the nation to give the
Moluccan Independent Investigation Team a chance to do their work.
In three months time, government will make an evaluation of the
team's performance and in that period the public may send in
feedback about the team.
"I think it would be best if a chance to work is given to
the team. If it turns out that the team has not discovered
anything, a re-evaluation will be made," said Hamzah Haz
after attending Maulid at the As-syirothus Syafi'iah Institute
Sunday (16/6) in Jakarta. Forming the Independent Investigation
Team under I Wayan Karya and Deputy of the Team, Bambang W.
Soeharto, has been drawing negative attention from Moluccan
figures. On the other hand, doubts over the teamleaders'
credibility and their reputation have arisen.
An evaluation will be made after a work period of three months.
"If the team is already in operation, we can come up with
comoplaints. So, let them start first instead of replacing the
team which will only turn out to be wholly unaffective," he
said.
Answering on a question about the Team's Deputy's credibility,
Hamzah said that the team does not entail Bambang W. Soeharto
alone. "The Team does not consist of Soeharto alone, the
other members can do the work. At least, the other members may
present a second opinion, send in feedback," he said.
Bambang Soeharto once led the Investigation Commission On Human
Rights Violations and Mediation of those who worked from January
19 - December 18 of 2000. Malik Selang, an attorney in Moluccas,
believes that Bambang Soeharto cannot do much for the region. But,
Bambang stays optimistic and is ready to start his duties .
"I will give the state my utmost. I will do the job as best
as I can," Bambang said. Hasto Atmodjo Suroyo, a lecturer at
the Jakarta National University said, the charges on the team's
reputation and independency at the very start of their operation
does not bode well for the team. "But, the team should be
accepted first and be left alone to do their job," he said.
He added that it would best if the Independent Investigation
Team were to be completed with an undercover sub-team that should
not be covered by the media, to seriously find out the cause of
the ongoing conflict in Moluccas.
He mentioned that warring commanders at public levels had best
be approached to find out more the origin of the conflict and hear
out their version of a solution for the conflict.
"The approach should not be made too formally. That kind
of approach is often found to be too elitic," said Hasto.
Despite of doubts hanging over the team, they could be
effective, said Hasto who also suggested to extend the team a
chance instead of having no investigation team at all.
About involvement of several NGO activists, Hasto said: "I
don't know exactly the NGOs effectiveness. According to me, that
is not NGO terrain. However, their aspirations should be
heard." (*)
