MPR not a conflict zone: MUI<\/p>\n
MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): The Indonesian Ulemas Council
\n(MUI) for eastern Indonesia closed its three-day internal meeting
\non Wednesday with a call to the political elite not to use next
\nmonth's upcoming People's Consultative Assembly General Session
\nto score points against each other.<\/p>\n
The council recommended that the political elite set a good
\nexample to the people by not demonstrating negative attitudes and
\nmaking conflicting and hostile statements, the council's
\nspokesman Arifuddin Cawidu told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Eastern Indonesia covers provinces in Sulawesi, Kalimantan,
\nMaluku and Irian Jaya.<\/p>\n
\"The politicians should restrain themselves in a bid to create
\na peaceful atmosphere which would be conducive for the ending of
\nthe nation's crises,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"We would also suggest that they (the politicians) include
\nefforts to deal with the conflicts occurring in certain areas of
\nthe country in their agenda. The present economic woes, which
\nhave inflicted great suffering on the people, also need special
\nattention,\" he said.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, the council also urged President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid not to regard criticism as an attempt to unseat
\nhim.<\/p>\n
\"He must accept criticism as being part of the effort to
\nrebuild society and the country. Indonesians are paternalistic,
\nmeaning that whatever (political) leaders, including the
\nPresident, say could generate new crises,\" Arifuddin said.<\/p>\n
\"Let's not make the situation worse. Let's give the people
\nbetter political education,\" he said, alleging that the prolonged
\nconflicts in some areas in the archipelago were the result of the
\npolitical actions of certain 'people in Jakarta.'<\/p>\n
Arifuddin reiterated the council's rejection of foreign
\ninterference in inter-religious or communal conflicts at home.
\n(27\/sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mpr-not-a-conflict-zone-mui-1447893297",
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