Wiranto Strikes Back at '1998 Riot Mastermind' Accusation

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Upon the accusation of being the mastermind behind Indonesia’s 1998 mass-riot, Coordinating Minister for Political, Law, and Security Affairs Wiranto openly challenged No. 2 presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto and former Army Strategic Reserve Command Chief of Staff retired Major Kivlan Zen to prove their allegations.

“I am willing enough to conduct the ghost oath (sumpah pocong) regarding the allegation. Myself, Prabowo, and Kivlan Zen together conducting the oath. [To prove] who’s responsible for the 1998 mass-riot,” said Wiranto in a press conference at the presidential office on Tuesday.

The pocong oath is a mystical practice where a person is wrapped in a death shroud, risking an instant death or chronic illness to those who break the oath.

Previously reported, Kivlan accused Wiranto of being responsible for sparking the infamous mass-riot in one of Indonesia’s many dark pasts that happened during the 'reform-era'. Kivlan also accused Wiranto of playing a double role as the Indonesian military at the time known as ABRI.

“This is to make things clear. I used to keep silent, but not this time. I’ll be vocal about it,” said Wiranto upon past instances where he had been accused of the same thing.

He explained that after the riot that broke on May 13, 1998, where the shootings took place at Trisakti University, he mobilized troops from East Java to Jakarta where the deadly riots peaked on May 14, 1998. He claimed that Jakarta was under control the next morning.

“The chances of myself holding a coup was not done because I love this country, and share the same love to reform figures that want to transform the country,” Wiranto defended.

FRISKI RIANA