Beware of attempts to split nation<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto yesterday warned of renewed
\nattempts by foreign countries to split the nation, which he said
\nwere not dissimilar to the efforts to divide practiced by the
\nDutch during the colonial period.<\/p>\n
While not mentioning specific countries, Soeharto said some
\nadvanced countries \"are not too happy\" with the economic as well
\nas technological progress Indonesia has been making.<\/p>\n
\"They will constantly try to create issues to weaken
\nIndonesia, not by aggression, but by splitting the nation,\" he
\nsaid aboard the Palindo Jaya 500-1, the first ever passenger
\nvessel designed and built in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
He cited human rights, democracy and labor disputes as some of
\nthe issues that they would use to stir controversy in Indonesia
\nin trying to split the people.<\/p>\n
Soeharto sailed aboard the vessel from Surabaya after
\nlaunching it on Thursday. He arrived in Jakarta yesterday
\nafternoon.<\/p>\n
Before reaching Tanjung Priok, he spoke to executives of PT
\nPAL, the state-owned shipyard which built Palindo, about the
\nreasons behind his policy of promoting strategic industries, such
\nship building, aircraft, cement, and telecommunications,
\nincluding Indonesia's decision to own its own communication
\nsatellites.<\/p>\n
Also present on board were State Minister of Research and
\nTechnology B.J. Habibie, who is also the president of PT PAL,
\nMinister of Defense and Security Edi Sudradjat, Armed Forces
\nChief Gen. Feisal Tanjung, Minister of Information Harmoko,
\nMinister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad and Minister of
\nTransportation Haryanto Dhanutirto.<\/p>\n
Soeharto said the strategic industries may be costly to build
\nin the beginning, but that they are essential for an archipelago
\ncountry of Indonesia's size, according to a transcript of his
\nremarks made available to the press.<\/p>\n
\"If we can do this, and surely Indonesia's sons and daughters
\nare capable, then the Second National Awakening that we've been
\ntalking about is not a dream. It will be a reality.<\/p>\n
\"We will become a big nation. The steps are there, and
\nadmittedly there are shortcomings. We need to fill these
\nshortcomings and we have to be able to reach a par with other
\nadvanced nations,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The President said that Indonesia had fallen into the rule of
\nthe Netherlands because its people had been split. \"The absence
\nof unity made us a weak nation,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Let's not repeat the same mistake we made in letting the
\nDutch come and rule us 350 years ago. The Dutch came here because
\nof our own mistake of failing to unite.\"<\/p>\n
Soeharto stressed the need for Indonesians to support the
\ndevelopment of its own industries, although foreign competitors
\nmight offer better products at more competitive prices.<\/p>\n
\"For the interest of individuals, it may be best that they buy
\nsomething less costly. But as citizens, if they think that buying
\nforeign products will destroy the nation, they should refrain.<\/p>\n
\"They know that if they don't buy their own products, the
\nfactories will cease operating, the workers will lose their jobs,
\nthe state won't receive the taxes and the nation will collapse.<\/p>\n
\"Is that the choice?\" he said.<\/p>\n
Soeharto said he hoped PT PAL would set its sights far and
\nstart working on designing and building even bigger ships, the
\nPalindo 1000 and Palindo 2000 series.<\/p>\n
He said that PT IPTN, the state-owned aircraft manufacturer,
\nhad also begun planning to build bigger planes after the N-250,
\nwhich will make its maiden flight next month. (emb)<\/p>",
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