More organizations back Soeharto's re-election<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Over 10,000 Christians in Bali and a Moslem
\norganization affiliated with the ruling Golkar organization
\nproclaimed support Saturday for the re-election of President
\nSoeharto in 1998.<\/p>\n
They said that President Soeharto, who has been in power for
\nalmost 30 years, is still needed to ensure a stable government
\nand continuation of development.<\/p>\n
The Christians from four denominations in Bali are affiliated
\nto a mass organization, MKGR, that represents one of Golkar's key
\nelements.<\/p>\n
The Christians also pledged allegiance to Golkar, which will
\nparticipate in next year's general election along with the
\nMoslem-oriented United Development Party (PPP) and the
\nnationalist-Christian alliance Indonesian Democratic Party.<\/p>\n
Spokesman for the Christians, David Ph. Soleman was quoted by
\nAntara as saying that Soeharto deserves another five-year term in
\noffice because no other figure has his statesmanship.<\/p>\n
\"President Soeharto's ability to lead the country is beyond
\ndoubt,\" David said in a gathering which was also attended by
\nlocal Golkar leaders and Jakartan entertainers who support
\nGolkar.<\/p>\n
He urged the 1,000-strong People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)
\nto re-elect President Soeharto when it convenes in 1998.<\/p>\n
The Christians in Bali also pledged to make the 1997 general
\nelection a success and to vote for Golkar.<\/p>\n
David threatened Christians who refused to vote for Golkar
\nwith dismissal from MKGR because their action would violate the
\norganization's statute.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, top leaders of the Moslem organization Tarbiyah
\nIslamiyah who gathered in the scenic West Sumatra town of
\nBukittinggi also pledged their support for President Soeharto's
\nre-election.<\/p>\n
They prayed for President Soeharto's health and re-election in
\n1998 and proposed that the late First Lady Tien Soeharto be
\nconferred national heroine status.<\/p>\n
Tarbiyah Islamiyah is headed by Ismail Hasan, one of Golkar
\ndeputy chiefs.<\/p>\n
The organization's leaders were in Bukittinggi for a national
\ncongress, which was opened by Coordinating Minister for People's
\nWelfare Azwar Anaz on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The religious activists and both organizations' open support
\nfor Golkar was only the latest endorsements.<\/p>\n
Last week, the 1.2 million strong Buddhist Niciren Syosyu
\ndenomination promised to vote for the ruling Golkar party in the
\n1997 general election.<\/p>\n
\"We will never regret it if we choose Golkar to continue the
\nNew Order government,\" Niciren Syosyu leader Herwindra Aiko
\nSenosoenoto said in Medan, North Sumatra.<\/p>\n
Aiko was addressing 1,200 North Sumatra sect members taking
\npart in a Golkar gathering. Religious affairs ministry and Golkar
\nofficials were also present.<\/p>\n
She said sect members believe that only Golkar could ensure
\ncontinued prosperity and guarantee the nation's unity, Antara
\nreported. (pan)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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