Juwono shrugs off calls for quick polls<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Education and Culture Juwono
\nSudarsono said here yesterday that aside from logistical and
\nbudgetary constraints, the nation was ill-prepared for hasty
\npolls.<\/p>\n
Speaking to an informal gathering at Pembangunan Nasional
\nUniversity, Juwono said the social risks of a speedy poll were
\ntoo big.<\/p>\n
\"Who could guarantee that there would be no outbreak of riots
\nduring election rallies if polls were held in such a difficult
\neconomic climate,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Juwono was referring to demands by opposition figures and
\ndemonstrators for early polls.<\/p>\n
Habibie, who was sworn in as president last month to replace
\nSoeharto, has said that elections would be held next year so that
\na new government could take over the reigns of power by 2000.<\/p>\n
His promises have not quieted demands for quick polls or
\nbrought an end to public distrust in the government.<\/p>\n
Juwono warned yesterday that the nation could descend into
\ngreater chaos if democracy was not practiced with proper
\norganization and preparation.<\/p>\n
He pointed to India as an example where \"political democracy
\nexists, (but) rioting also exists\".<\/p>\n
\"Indeed, true reformists want a more speedy election, but it's
\njust practical matters that we are dealing with here: funding,
\nlogistics, possible social unrest,\" he warned.<\/p>\n
Allocating more time to prepare for polling would give the
\nnation a greater chance to organize a safe general election and
\nto allocate the necessary funding, he said, pointing out that
\nlast year's general election cost over Rp 500 billion.<\/p>\n
Juwono then argued that Indonesians historically lack a
\ntradition of strong political institution building.<\/p>\n
He said people here had always been idealistic about forming
\nvarious movements, but when it came to the work to establish a
\npertinent institution, the organization and drive was not there.<\/p>\n
He added that the Armed Forces and strong business
\nconglomerates were the only seemingly competent organizations in
\nthe country.<\/p>\n
Campus<\/p>\n
Yesterday, Juwono also took the opportunity to tell several
\nuniversity rectors at the gathering to keep \"political
\ncampaigning\" off their campuses during the elections.<\/p>\n
\"Only invite political figures to hold panel discussions with
\nthe campus, but don't let them use the campus as a political
\narena,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Juwono later told journalists that it was time for students to
\ncease their demonstrations and return to their studies.<\/p>\n
Separately in Yogyakarta, the rector of the state-run Gadjah
\nMada University, Ichlasul Amal, aired a similar call yesterday.<\/p>\n
Amal, who was a supporter of the student reform movement at
\nthe height of demonstrations last month, said universities must
\nretreat from the world of \"real\" politics and return to being a
\nmoral force in society.<\/p>\n
\"Real politics are filled with diverse interests which tend to
\nlead to conflict and disintegration. So if this is the case,
\nuniversities must retreat from real politics,\" he told reporters
\nafter attending an international seminar on democracy and
\ncivilian-military dialog here. (23\/44\/aan)<\/p>",
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