Soeharto calls for smooth poll<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto called on the nation
\nyesterday to strive to make the general election next year better
\nthan previous polls in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
He also appealed to everyone to entrust the task of organizing
\nthe elections to the officially-designated agencies.<\/p>\n
\"We want the 1997 General Election to proceed smoothly. We
\nmust all strive to make each election better than the previous
\nones,\" he said in a speech to commemorate National Awakening Day.<\/p>\n
While acknowledging that there were some shortcomings in
\nprevious elections, he said they should not obscure the
\nachievements already made.<\/p>\n
\"We must not let them undermine our self-confidence in that we
\ncan organize a fair and honest election. Let's rid ourselves of
\nany suspicion,\" he said before a huge crowd of mostly school
\nstudents as well as officials at the Jakarta Convention Center.<\/p>\n
With the election approaching, there is now a growing pressure
\non the government to make sure that the polls are held fairly and
\nhonestly, and that the cheating which marred past elections will
\nbe punished severely.<\/p>\n
The United Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party (PDI), the two minority parties which are
\ncontesting the election against the mighty Golkar, have been
\ncalling for more guarantees from the government to ensure greater
\nfairness.<\/p>\n
A group of activists, led by senior journalist Goenawan
\nMohamad, has formed the Independent Election Supervising
\nCommittee. They plan to deploy volunteers at all polling booths
\nto monitor the way the elections are held. Although government
\nofficials have criticized the independent committee, they have
\nstopped short of outlawing it.<\/p>\n
Soeharto made no direct reference to the poll watchdog, but
\nsaid: \"Let's entrust the election organizers and supervisors with
\nthe task of holding the polls, from the beginning to the end.\"<\/p>\n
Earlier this month the National Election Institute began
\nregistering voters, making door-to-door visits throughout the
\ncountry. The registration process officially ended yesterday.<\/p>\n
This year's National Awakening Day picked up the theme of
\nensuring a successful election in 1997, seen as a continuing
\nprocess of the national movement which began with the founding of
\nBoedi Oetomo, the first modern national organization, on May 20,
\n1908, when Indonesia was still under Dutch colonial rule.<\/p>\n
Soeharto said the general election is a clear manifestation of
\ndemocracy. \"It is a very important political event for the
\nnation. Everyone of us, without exception, has the duty and honor
\nto ensure that the polls proceed as smoothly as possible.\"<\/p>\n
On the theme of nationalism, the President said the spirit
\nthat led to Indonesia's independence in 1945 should be cultivated
\nto help the country meet the challenges of the 21st century.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has just embarked on the Second Long Term
\nDevelopment Plan spanning a 25-year period, he said. \"We have
\nresolved that our development will take-off and that we will
\ncatch up with other countries that have already moved ahead.\"<\/p>\n
\"Our struggle is not over yet,\" he added, underlining the
\nnation's goal of attaining a just and prosperous society.<\/p>\n
The President said that at a time that the world is rapidly
\nchanging, Indonesia must adapt. \"But there is one thing that must
\nnot change, that is our identity as a nation.\"<\/p>\n
\"A nation that loses its identity will have been swayed by the
\nforce of global changes. Such nations will sink half way, never
\nreaching their destination.\"<\/p>\n
Soeharto said the spirit of nationalism is essential when
\nIndonesia enters into free trade arrangements.<\/p>\n
This means Indonesia has to make its economy efficient to stay
\ncompetitive, he said.<\/p>\n
\"But this alone is not enough,\" he said. \"We have to support
\nthis by loving locally-made products. Loving our own products is
\na clear manifestation of nationalism in the economic field.\"
\n(emb)<\/p>\n
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