Nograhany Widhi K, Jakarta – Devide et impera. It appears that the strategy of pitting one side against the other during the Dutch colonial period is still not out of date – including in the lead up to the government’s planned fuel price increases.

According to security expert Wawan Purwanto during a discussion with Detik.com on Wednesday May 14, the momentum created by the protests against the fuel price hikes is indeed being used by certain parties to ‘pummel’ the government’s image.

“It’s not impossible that the price of oil will reach US$200 per barrel. Whoever holds the reins of government would be staggering, right. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla will definitely be under pressure from all sides”, said Purwanto.

In addition to this he said, in the lead up to the 2009 presidential and legislative elections there are parties that want to attract the public’s sympathy, as if they are siding with the people. “They are coming together to seek sympathy. This is their momentum”, he said.

When asked about the possibility that there are those who will who take advantage of the anti-fuel price hike demonstrations for their own benefit, including foreign parties who have an interest in Indonesia, Purwanto said that could well happen. The foreign interests playing this role however are clearly not acting alone.

There are a number of domestic parties, he added, many of whom could be hired for political as well as economic motivations. “Not playing a role directly but through networks. The country will not be destroyed by foreigners but through the hands of inside people who they want to pit against each other,” he explained.

Purwanto is therefore recommending that the public be more rational, not emotional and think before actng. If not, the public could easily be played off against each other. “So devide et impera will be repeated. If we don’t learn from history, that will be the result”, he said in conclusion. (nwk/nrl)

[Translated by James Balowski.]