Jokowi Criticized for Appointing Ryamizard as Defense Minister
27 October 2014 15:14 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - New York-based organization, the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN), blasts President Widodo for appointing Ryamizard Ryacudu as Defense Minister. ETAN coordinator John M. Miller claimed that appointing Ryamizard as minister means that Jokowi is not keeping his words to promote human rights and reach out to West Papua.
Miller, in his press release, said that Ryamizard has a record of human rights violation in the past. ETAN also wrote that Jokowi, in his presidential campaign, welcome the notion to uphold justice for past human rights violation, as well as to open dialogue with West Papua.
The Press Release also quoted Ryamizard’s interview with Time magazine. Ryamizard said to have observed the military emergency status in Aceh back in 2003 that had claimed the lives of many. Ryamizard also claimed that his troops executed women and children, as they are capable of killing.
Miller later concluded the press release, saying that appointing Ryamizard as minister is cutting off past record on human rights violation.
RINDU P. HESTYA