THE POLITICS OF RAMADAN IN INDONESIA -- THE GOOD,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 002903 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, S/CT, INL FOR BOULDIN, INR/EAP NSC FOR EPHU DOJ FOR CRIM AAG SWARTZ, DOJ/OPDAT FOR LEHMANN/ALEXANDRE/BERMAN DOJ/CTS FOR MULLANEY, ST HILAIRE FBI FOR ETTUI/SSA ROTH NCTC WASHDC E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2017 TAGS: PGOV SOCI KISL PTER ID SUBJECT: THE POLITICS OF RAMADAN IN INDONESIA -- THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY REF: JAKARTA 2892 Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4 (B)(D). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: October 13 marked the Muslim holiday of Idul Fitri--the end of Ramadan--and the Indonesian political spectrum celebrated in its inimitable fashion. On the positive side, they held multiple ceremonies to give money to the poor. On the negative side, a number of politicos--including VP Kalla--paid homage to former president Suharto at a reception. And finally--veering hard toward the reprehensible--GOI officials admitted that they had feted convicted terrorists at a Ramadan ceremony. Pol/C underscored to GOI contacts the wholly inappropriate nature of the idea of inviting terrorists-to-tea. While Idul Fitri sparks genuine religious soul-searching, it also seems to provide occasion for wildly misplaced compassion. END SUMMARY. THE GOOD - MONEY FOR THE POOR ¶2. (U) President Yudhoyono, Vice President Kalla, and newly-elected Jakarta governor Fauzi Bowo were among the many political heavy-hitters to celebrate the Muslim holy day of Idul Fitri by giving away envelopes full of cash to destitute Indonesians. On October 13-14, long lines of indigent Indonesians formed throughout Jakarta, including in front of the President's palace, the Vice President's home, the governor's official residence, and the homes of other prominent Indonesian politicians. ¶3. (SBU) The chaotic scene in front of Governor Fauzi Bowo's official central Jakarta residence on October 14 was representative of the charity events. Poloff noted huge lines of people in front of Governor Bowo's home as early as 7 A.M.--and according to media reports--an estimated 3500 people came for the scheduled two-hour gift distribution period. Governor Bowo distributed envelopes with 50,000 Indonesian rupiah (approximately $5.50) and a food parcel to the visitors, apparently using his own money to finance the traditional charitable giving. Many Indonesians left the proceedings empty handed, however, when the gates to his home closed promptly after two hours. THE BAD - KISSING SUHARTO'S RING ¶4. (SBU) In the meantime, a veritable "Who's Who list" of Indonesian political celebrities visited the residence of former President Suharto on October 13-14 to pay their respects. Suharto, who has thus far managed to evade a corruption conviction thanks largely to alleged medical concerns, nevertheless summoned the strength to welcome a steady stream of visitors. The English-language "Jakarta Post" ran a picture of the beaming former dictator--who looked quite healthy--greeting Vice President Kalla on October 14. ¶5. (U) According to press reports, in addition to the Vice President, the many visitors to Suharto's central Jakarta home included: Army Chief of Staff Djoko Santoso; Governor Bowo; Minister of Industry Fahmi Idris; Indonesian Democratic Party - Struggle (PDI-P) parliamentary faction Chairman Tjahyo Kumolo; legislator Yuddy Chrisnandi; Constitutional Court President Jimly Asshiddiqie; and Religious Affairs Minister Maftuh Basun. A host of old order era politicians and influential businessmen also made the pilgrimage to Suharto's residence. THE UGLY - FETING TERRORISTS ¶6. (SBU) The most controversial Indonesian twist on the Ramadan tradition of charity and forgiveness involved a decision by the Indonesian National Police (INP) to invite terror convicts and hard-line Muslim extremist prisoners to an Idul Fitr Iftaar ("buka puasa" or breaking the fast) JAKARTA 00002903 002 OF 002 gathering. According to media reports, the chief of the INP's Special anti-terror unit, Brigadier General Suryadarma, invited 20 convicted terrorists and religious hard-liners to the gathering at his official residence in late September. The Indonesian government has admitted that convicted Bali bombers Mubarok and Ali Imron were among those in attendance. ¶7. (C) In comments to the media on October 14, Suryadarma defended his decision to dine with the convicted terrorists. He said it was part of the INP's long-term strategy to co-opt extremists as informers and preachers of moderation. According to Suryadarma, the INP had already registered great anti-terror successes with the strategy, and the gathering should be looked at in the larger context of the government's battle against terror. Pol/C underscored to GOI contacts the wholly inappropriate nature of the idea of inviting terrorists-to-tea. (Note: In a positive note: As reviewed in reftel, the Indonesian government did not apply its remissions policy to any convicted terrorists as part of its annual Idul Fitri tradition of trimming the sentences of all Muslim prisoners. The GOI will instead review the files of convicted terrorists individually during the next several weeks to see whether they might receive remissions of sentence.) WILDLY MISPLACED COMPASSION ¶8. (C) While Idul Fitri sparks genuine religious soul-searching, it also seems to provide occasion for wildly misplaced compassion. Some Indonesians--and this has been going on for some years--think it is just fine, for example, to honor Suharto during this timeframe despite the corruption and autocratic nature of his rule. As for the INP's decision to invite convicted terrorists to an official event, some Indonesians think that that--in the name of the power of forgiveness--makes sense, too. That is mind-boggling, but somehow an accepted strain of Idul Fitri thinking in Indonesia. HUME