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SCMP Reporter

If political power does indeed come out of the barrel of a gun, Indonesia's military chief General Wiranto yesterday proved that he is a leader who cannot be underestimated.

 Overnight his troops turned the bustling capital of 11 million people into a ghost town, yet he was confident enough to allow students into parliament buildings for a third straight day as an apparent safety valve.

 And one of President Suharto's leading ministers publicly confirmed what many had been thinking - General Wiranto is set to be a key player in the uncertainty of the months ahead.

  The last week has seen the general - well known for his good looks and charm - prove his spurs as an emerging populist.

 He has accepted students' right to protest for reform, even arranging for buses to take them to Parliament.

 He even apologised for the fatal shooting of six students at Trisakti University - statements and policies that are understood to have brought him in conflict with President Suharto, whom he once served as adjutant.

 Many insiders believe General Wiranto now firmly believes Mr Suharto should go. At the same time he is trapped by loyalty and professionalism. He is keen to ensure Mr Suharto leaves with the country's stability and his own dignity intact.

 It is a position which has only highlighted rifts in the vast 400,000-strong military machine that pits ultra-loyalists against reformers.

 The former presidential adjutant is renowned as the 'Mr Clean' of the armed forces - an image placed under threat when his wife and daughter were admitted to the House of Representatives last October.

 With extensive experience commanding troops in Java and East Timor, he is widely respected among the ranks. Rumours he was to be axed at the weekend amid a power struggle with Mr Suharto's son-in-law, Lieutenant-General Prabowo Subianto, the commander of the elite, 40,000-strong Kostrad strategic reserve, were enough for a string of embassies to heighten security warnings amid fears of a coup or the onset of civil war.

 General Prabowo has repeatedly spoken out against the need for political reform and recently denied any rifts existed in the leadership.

 The American-trained general is standing firmly by the President in what appear to be his last days.



Populist general set to be key player in uncertain months ahead