Megawati calls for national solidarity<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The ousted leader of the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty (PDI), Megawati Soekarnoputri, sent a message to Indonesian
\nMoslems yesterday telling them to use the fasting that begins
\ntoday as a means to strengthen the solidarity of the nation.<\/p>\n
In a written statement Megawati reminded people the essence of
\nfasting in the month of Ramadhan was not to merely cease eating
\nand drinking but also a test of one's mental fortitude.<\/p>\n
\"Ramadhan should be understood as a sacred month for Moslems
\nto cleanse their minds and attitudes from personal ambitions,
\nwhich could bring negative impacts on people in general,\" she
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
She said this year's fasting month was marked by a prolonged
\neconomic crisis, which had further developed into a serious
\nintegral crisis of the nation.<\/p>\n
\"The escalating prices of people's basic needs and the
\nincreasing number of unemployed have become a common part of our
\ndaily life,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Antara reported yesterday that in a tour of Jakarta markets
\nits reporters had noticed price increases. The price of Bimoli
\ncooking oil has risen on average from Rp 2,100 to Rp 3,200, meat
\nfrom Rp 12,000 to Rp 15,000 per kilogram and eggs from Rp 3,200
\nto 4,500 per kilogram.<\/p>\n
Megawati called on PDI members and Moslems in general to work
\nshoulder-to-shoulder to work for the betterment of the country
\nand garner solidarity to help their neighbors currently living in
\ngrief.<\/p>\n
\"Try to find out who needs help,\" she said. \"Give them what
\nyou can afford to give.\"<\/p>\n
She called on the nation to bond in anticipation of future
\nchallenges and to respond to injustices.<\/p>\n
\"We'll be strong if we unite,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Holidays<\/p>\n
Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher said in a
\nstatement on the eve this year's fasting month last night that
\npeople should not be pessimistic about the ongoing monetary
\ncrisis.<\/p>\n
\"We, as a nation, are being tested by God,\" Tarmizi said.
\n\"However, we have to remain confident that there will always be
\njoy after grief.\"<\/p>\n
Indonesian Moslems start the Moslem fasting month of Ramadhan
\nin year 1418 Hijr, today.<\/p>\n
To mark the day, school children will be given a one-day
\nholiday today.<\/p>\n
A recent decree by the director general of elementary and high
\nschools said that the first day of Ramadhan is a national
\nholiday. The decree, regulating the 1998 national holidays, also
\nstipulates that students will have a 17-day holiday from Jan. 21
\nto Feb. 7.<\/p>\n
In Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi, housewives thronged local
\ntraditional markets and shopping centers yesterday to procure
\nfood in preparation for the fasting month.<\/p>\n
Antara reported that they crowded kiosks selling popular
\nfoodstuffs, including fish, vegetables, meat and eggs.<\/p>\n
Ramadhan is traditionally known as a festive month as special
\ndishes and cakes are prepared by families to break the fast each
\nevening.<\/p>\n
\"Despite the escalating prices, I try to provide special food
\nfor my family members as an expression of joy and gratitude that
\nwe still can fast this year,\" said Hasniah, an elementary school
\nteacher. (imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/megawati-calls-for-national-solidarity-1447893297",
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