Gen. Edi tells people to be more restrained<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security Gen. (ret) Edi
\nSudradjat called on people to remain on the alert and resist
\nprovocation.<\/p>\n
\"I'm calling on all parties ... not to do anything that could
\nharm the public's interest,\" the minister was quoted by Antara as
\nsaying in Yogyakarta on Saturday after attending graduation day
\nat Veterans University.<\/p>\n
He said unrest had hit the country hard and fast over the past
\nmonths and had gone beyond the line \"of what was appropriate in
\nthe life of a state and nation\".<\/p>\n
\"The destruction, which shouldn't happen in a dignified nation
\nin the first place, will only harm the people and the nation's
\nability to survive,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said all security personnel were expected to take firm
\naction when dealing with disturbances, so that rules were upheld
\nand people's everyday lives continued nationwide.<\/p>\n
\"If there are problems, handle them in accordance with
\nexisting laws. Will rioting and brutality, which hit the country
\nrecently, solve problems? Certainly not,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has been troubled by sectarian and political unrest
\nsince mid last year.<\/p>\n
One of the worst incidents was the July 27 riot in which
\nthousands of people went on a burning rampage after the forced
\ntakeover of the Indonesian Democratic Party's headquarters. Five
\nwere killed and more than 140 injured in the riot. Dozens of
\npeople are still missing.<\/p>\n
Riots followed in Situbondo, East Java, Tasikmalaya, West
\nJava, and Sanggau Ledo, West Kalimantan.<\/p>\n
Last month's election campaign was also marked by widespread
\nviolence. More than 200 people died in campaign-related
\naccidents. The worst violence was in Banjarmasin, South
\nKalimantan, on May 23, the last day of campaigning, when 123
\npeople were burned alive a blazing shopping center.<\/p>\n
Analysts and government officials have tried to explain away
\nthe violence, and have blamed socioeconomic disparity and
\ndiscontent over the political situation, among other things.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, Edi also commented on social disparity and said
\nit should be understood as something to be addressed urgently but
\nalso proportionately.<\/p>\n
\"The problem is not proof of the failure of the national
\ndevelopment program, but is a side effect of successful
\ndevelopment,\" he said.<\/p>\n
With such an approach, people would not see social disparity
\nas something to lament over while causing destruction, but more
\nof a challenge to address, he added.<\/p>\n
\"By realizing that social disparity exists, we all should be
\nmotivated to improve,\" Edi said.<\/p>\n
Veterans University's rector Tarwotjo presided over the
\ngraduation of 1,226 students on Saturday. (swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gen-edi-tells-people-to-be-more-restrained-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}