Rights body calls for just and fair election<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights urged
\nthe three parties and the government yesterday to stop \"unjust
\nand unfair practices\" and assure a fair election.<\/p>\n
\"The public has every right to demand a fair election.
\nTherefore unjust and unfair practices should be stopped so that
\npeople can accept the poll results,\" the commission said in a
\nstatement signed by chairman Munawir Sjadzali and secretary-
\ngeneral Baharuddin Lopa.<\/p>\n
The commission made it clear that to vote or not to vote was
\nevery citizen's right.<\/p>\n
It also said it was deeply concerned about the violence that
\nhad claimed many lives and caused extensive damage to public and
\nprivate property.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a cabinet minister said the violence was caused by
\npeople's inability to perceive differences of opinion as healthy
\nin a democracy.<\/p>\n
State Minister of Public Housing Akbar Tandjung said the
\npublic considered people with opposing political views as
\nenemies.<\/p>\n
The minister cited poor education and political awareness as
\nthe main obstacle to democratization. The uneducated were easily
\nprovoked, he said.<\/p>\n
\"Unlike in countries where people are well-educated,
\ndifferences of opinion in Indonesia are considered negative,\"
\nAkbar said.<\/p>\n
Mob violence blotted the April 27 to May 23 campaign in many
\nparts of the country. Most clashes involved Golkar and United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP) supporters.<\/p>\n
Sometimes fighting began just because bystanders had refused
\nto give supporters their party's finger sign.<\/p>\n
The worst riot broke out in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on
\nthe last day of campaigning on May 23. It claimed 123 lives and
\ncaused extensive damaged.<\/p>\n
The riot broke out when supporters of the PPP and Golkar
\nstarted fighting because Golkar supporters had begun their
\nrallies before the Moslems had finished their Friday prayer.<\/p>\n
Akbar acknowledged that people's frustration over
\nsocioeconomic disparity, including unemployment, had increased
\nthe tension.<\/p>\n
\"Many people, including the youngsters, feel they have not
\nreceived equal treatment and opportunities from the government,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Akbar said he based his assumptions on his observations of
\nGolkar's campaign in several provinces.<\/p>\n
He said community frustration was exploited by irresponsible
\ngroups who wanted to sabotage the government's development
\nprograms.<\/p>\n
Analysts have said the campaign period allowed people to let
\noff steam amid a rigid political system, and that the campaign
\nwas a good time for them to air their grievances and
\nfrustrations.<\/p>\n
\"We must continue improving the quality of our political
\neducation,\" said Akbar, who was a former state minister of youth
\nand sports affairs.<\/p>\n
Akbar, a former student activist, urged other government
\nofficials and the public to beware of attempts to destabilize the
\nnation.<\/p>\n
\"All of us must reflect on what has happened during the
\ncampaign, and then find ways to prevent the incidents recurring
\nin future,\" Akbar said. (06\/pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rights-body-calls-for-just-and-fair-election-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}