JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Democratic Party suspects that two former ministers as traitors. Both are suspected of conspiring to topple the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's government.

The head of political education and training department of the Democratic Party's central board, Ruhut Poltak Sitompul stated this to the press at the House of Rep. building, Jakarta, Tuesday. "This information is from the State Intelligence Agency."

Ruhut, who is also member of the House of Rep.'s Commission III, suspects that both former ministers were disappointed for not being reassigned by President Yudhoyono as cabinet member. They are suspected of having funded the recent demonstrations.

"Therefore, I remind all parties to beware of short term political interests."

When urged to name the two former ministers, Ruhut was reluctant to speak. However, when confronted with several names, such as the former Minister of Youth and Sport Adhyaksa Dault or former Minister of Forestry M.S. Kaban, he ensured that they're not the suspected traitors.

After further inquiring, Ruhut then only described the two former ministers. "They're not party members. They're professionals," he said with a smile.

Diminishing public trust

Separately, on Tuesday the Civilian People's Coalition of Antigraft (KOMPAK), - which has mobilized moral movements to fight corruption in various places, especially regarding the Century Bank case resolution - was concern on Ruhut's statement.

"Stop producing slanders. If there is one [a conspirator], then just name him. If proven guilty against the law, then apprehend him," emphasized Ray Rangkuti, a Kompak activist and the director of Lingkar Madani.

Ray also stressed that Ruhut's accusation complements previous ones stated by President Yudhoyono, who is also the chairman of advisory board of the Democratic Party. It's as if the moral acts by the people to fight corruption is hitched with political insterests, or even treason.

Ray also reminded that the issuing of slanders wouldn't weaken the civilian people's movement, but would only inflame it even more. Another reminder, was that such ways were the method of the New Order [Suharto's government].

Ray stated that issuing an accusation without evidence would only diminish the public trust in the president or in  the Democratic Party. "This will backfire them," he concluded. (SUT/HAR)