INDONESIAN REBELS

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28513, 17 February 1958, Page 9

INDONESIAN REBELS

Proclamation Of Government (N.Z. Press Association—CoDynght) (Rec. 7 p.m.) JAKARTA, February 16. President Soekarno returned to Indonesia today to face the challange of a rebel government in Central Sumatra. The rival regime was proclaimed in Padang, the capital of the turbulent province, as the President’s plane flew from Tokyo to Jakarta. The anti-Communists junta in Padang, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Ahmed Husein, the dismissed military commander of the region, swore in a Cabinet to run the “Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia” after President Soekarno’s Cabinet in Jakarta rejected an ultimatum to resign. The dissident group in Padang has claimed that President Soekarno’s concept of “guided democracy” has given a strong hand to the Communists on Java, whose voting strength already runs to millions.

The Central Government’s first reaction, as expressed by the Foreign Office spokesman, Mr Ganis Harsono, was to reiterate that the Cabinet’s confidence that the rest of Indonesia did not support the Central Sumatran rebels.

Observers in Jakarta said the possibility of the 12-year-old Indonesian Republic becoming embroiled in a bloody civil war, was being freely acknowledged.

At the same time, the Premier (Dr. Djuanda) was faced with pressures to avoid violence when dealing with Padang’s repudiation of the Government’s authority

The restoration of unity between President Soekarno and Dr. Mohammad Hatta, the former Vice-President, appeared to be the only way out acceptable to both Padang and Jakarta.

Mr Harsono said that Central Government officials were not excited about the proclamation, which he described as “a political move” rather than a real proclamation. No special Cabinet meeting would be called in Jakarta because of the proclamation. He understood that Dr. Djuanda was not planning to make an immediate formal statement on the internal situation. He was unable to say whether the Central Government would launch a police action or use any kind of armed force against the Central Sumatran rebels. ‘‘For one thing. Premier Djuanda will not resign.” Mr Harsono said. Of the rival Government he said: “They proclaimed it but they will wonder themselves what is to be done next. “There is no support from other regions in Indonesia. Even in Padang itself the reception to the announcement seems rather poor.” Mr Harsono said that the flanking provinces of North and South Sumatra were loyal to the Central Government The position of the North Celebes was clearly on the side of the Government Most buildings in Jakarta today were flying the red and white Indonesian flag. Chinese traders put out scores of red, five-starred Communist China flags. President Soekarno returned today by air to Jakarta 14 hours after the rebel proclamation, Jakarta Radio reported. The President was met at the airfield by Lieutenant-General Abdul Harris Nasution, the Indonesian Army Chief of Staff, Dr Djuanda, Cabinet Ministers and diplomats. Later, he was expected to address “tens of thousands’ of Indonesians already gathered on the Freedom Square outside the palace. „ „ Big, cheering crowds lined all

streets as the President drove from the airfield, the radio said. Dr. Djuanda, in a speech at the welcoming ceremony outside the palace, said that while the President was away, there had been many political and economic events inside Indonesia. But the Prime Minister made no reference to the proclamation

of the rebel government. The ceremony was punctuated with cheers and at one stage one of the welcoming speakers led the crowd in shouting "Long live the President.” '