Civil Society Coalition for Security Sector Reform Press Release

THE APPOINTMENT OF MAWAR TEAM at the Ministry of Defense: JOKOWI'S BREACHING OF PROMISE IN COMPLETING THE SERIOUS VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS 1997-1998

President Jokowi has officially determined the names of Middle High Leaders who will assist the Minister of Defense in carrying out his duties and functions. Through Presidential Decree (Keppres) of the Republic of Indonesia Number 166/TPA of 2020 concerning Dismissal and Appointment from and in Middle High Leadership Positions within the Ministry of Defense. However, there were 2 (two) names that were brought into the spotlight, respectively Brigadier General Dadang Hendrayudha, serving as Director General of Defense Potential of the Ministry of Defense and Brigadier General Yulius Selvanus as Head of the Defense Strategic Installation Agency of the Ministry of Defense. Previously, on December 6, 2019, Prabowo also appointed Chairawan Kadasryah Nusyirwan, who had been the Commander of the Mawar Team as Special Assistant to the Minister of Defense based on the Decree of the Minister of Defense Number: KEP/1869/M/XII/2019.

The Civil Society Coalition for Security Sector Reform considers that the names mentioned above (including Prabowo) are highly unfit to become public officials because of their track record of having joined the Mawar Team which was specially formed for the 1997-1998 operation to kidnap and enforced disappearances of pro-democracy activists. Through this Kopassus team, as many as 22 (twenty two) activists were kidnapped: 9 (nine) people returned alive with various torture practices. Meanwhile, 13 (thirteen) others: Yani Afrie, Sony, Herman Hendrawan, Dedi Hamdun, Noval Alkatiri, Ismail, Suyat, Petrus Bima Anugerah, Widji Thukul, Ucok Munandar Siahaan, Hendra Hambali, Yadin Muhidin, and Abdun Naser have not returned until now.