"That Suharto is promoting a hardliner like this shows that he feels there is a serious threat to his power that he cannot see, " says political scientist Arief Budiman.
Among the leaders of this more progressive faction, says Budiman, are Defense and Security Minister Edi Sudrajat and ex-Home Affairs Minister Rudini, a former general with strong links through the ranks.
Budiman Sudjatmiko, the 27-year-old leader of the People's Democratic Party (PRD) -- a small, illegal and allegedly communist group blamed by the government for inciting the unrest -- has gone into hiding to avoid arrest.