Don't incite hatred, ITB professors say<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The professors of Bandung Institute of
\nTechnology called for restraint among community leaders and the
\ngovernment, asking that they refrain from using provocative terms
\nsuch as \"treason\" and \"mastermind\".<\/p>\n
The professors issued a statement on Tuesday in Bandung, West
\nJava, calling for the self-restraint needed for a community fast
\ndeveloping into a complicated society striving for democracy.<\/p>\n
\"Within such a situation, people are highly sensitive,\" the
\nprofessors said in the 10-point statement signed by Rector Lilik
\nHendrajaya and senate secretary Rubini Soeria Atmadja.<\/p>\n
\"We should all focus our attention on the question of the
\ngeneral election, which must be held as soon as possible,\" they
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"Various problems are waiting to be solved before we can
\nconduct a good general election; one that is free from fraud and
\nengineering, is direct, open, confidential, honest and fair in
\nnature,\" the statement said.<\/p>\n
The professors were commenting on the charges of treason
\nbrought against a number of opposition figures by President B.J.
\nHabibie's government.<\/p>\n
Golkar legislator Sutradara Ginting joined the bandwagon of
\nthose condemning Habibie for making the allegations, saying it
\nwas reminiscent of politicking under the regime of former
\nautocratic president Soeharto.<\/p>\n
Accusing opposition leaders of treason reflects Habibie's
\ndeployment of Soeharto's \"management of political opponents by
\nfear\".<\/p>\n
\"It's a new version of an old pattern,\" Ginting said.<\/p>\n
\"It's dangerous,\" he also warned.<\/p>\n
Habibie addressed the nation on Saturday -- one day after the
\nbloody clashes between students and security personnel on
\nSemanggi Cloverleaf in South Jakarta left at least 15 people dead
\n-- and spoke of \"rebellion\" against his legitimate government.<\/p>\n
On the same day, police picked up for questioning former
\nJakarta governor Ali Sadikin, 71, and freedom fighter Lt. Gen.
\n(ret) A. Kemal Idris, among others. Kemal, 75, is the former
\nchief of the army elite unit, the Army Strategic Reserve Command.<\/p>\n
The charge of treason was leveled because the two, and a
\nnumber of others, signed a joint communique which called for the
\nestablishment of a provisional People's Consultative Assembly,
\nand the eventual formation of a presidium which would serve as a
\nprovisional government until the elections next year.<\/p>\n
Ginting said, \"Freedom of the mind simply must not be tried\".<\/p>\n
Only if the police have found that there were \"violations of
\nthe law\" should they continue with the case, but labeling people
\nnow as \"treasonous\" would be \"premature\", he said.<\/p>\n
In a democratic country, Ginting argued, the government must
\nbuild \"a corridor\" for citizens to differ in their opinions.<\/p>\n
\"Can calling for a federal state be called subversive? Or is
\ncalling for the resignation of a government official subversive?
\nWas it subversive when the students called for Soeharto's
\nresignation in May?\"<\/p>\n
\"Freedom of thinking must not be tried... it is different
\nfrom an armed rebellion,\" he remarked. (aan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/dont-incite-hatred-itb-professors-say-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}