Effective action needed to quell unrest: Nasution<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Recent riots in some parts of the country were
\ncaused by people's discontent because the government has been
\nunable to heed their aspirations, says senior military figure
\nGen. (ret) Abdul Haris Nasution.<\/p>\n
Speaking yesterday, Nasution said people viewed government
\nagencies and the national and provincial legislatures as mere
\ninstruments of big businesses that ignore people's needs
\nentirely.<\/p>\n
\"It should therefore come as no surprise that the nation had
\nto witness violent unrest in East Timor, security-disturbing
\nmovements in Irian Jaya, and others,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Security-disturbing movement\" refers to the military's
\ndefinition of separatist rebel groups in the provinces of Irian
\nJaya, Aceh and East Timor, which were inspired by similar
\nmovements in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, Nasution
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He said the violent unrest stemmed from, among other things,
\nsocial and economic disparity. People felt they were being
\n\"marginalized\" by the encroaching development, he said.<\/p>\n
Nasution believes the key to successfully solving upheavals
\nlies in effective government action that truly serves the people.<\/p>\n
Government must not only understand the effects but also seek
\nout the root of violent unrest, he said.<\/p>\n
Separately, KH Ilyas Ruchiyat, chairman of the law-making body
\nof Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Moslem organization, said in Semarang
\nFriday he felt the riots in the East Java town of Situbondo and
\nin Tasikmalaya, West Java, were the doings of the masses.<\/p>\n
However, he said he did not know whether the perpetrators were
\nsantri, students of the Islamic boarding schools.<\/p>\n
He also said violent unrest stemmed from the people's
\nfrustrations because they were unable to enjoy a fair share of
\nthe fruits of development, and of an unfair legal system.<\/p>\n
The situation is further worsened with people's reduced
\ntolerance toward others and lack of social conscience, a result
\nof jealousy of the display of wealth by the rich and abuse of
\npower of those in authority.<\/p>\n
Chairman of Muhammadiyah Moslem organization Amien Rais called
\nfor due legal process to be given to the case of the nine police
\nofficers allegedly involved in the beatings of the three Moslem
\nteachers which sparked the riot in Tasikmalaya.<\/p>\n
He also called on administrators, leaders and students of the
\nIslamic boarding schools pesantren to help prevent further unrest
\nfrom occurring.<\/p>\n
Psychologist Darmanto Jatman called for officials' greater
\nsensitivity toward people's feelings and concerns as a way to
\nprevent uncontrollable upheavals.<\/p>\n
\"The government must be fair and objective in examining anyone
\nwho causes trouble,\" said Darmanto who is a lecturer at the
\nSemarang-based Diponegoro University. (imn\/har\/01)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/effective-action-needed-to-quell-unrest-nasution-1447893297",
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