Soeharto tells Golkar to learn from history<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): \"Never forget the past,\" President Soeharto told
\nmembers of the ruling political grouping Golkar yesterday.<\/p>\n
\"In looking ahead, meeting challenges in developing the future
\nthat we dream about, we must never forget our past,\" Soeharto
\nsaid in a speech read by Vice President Try Sutrisno during a
\nreception celebrating the 31st anniversary of Golkar at the
\nJakarta Convention Center.<\/p>\n
\"History is the wisest teacher. It teaches us about our
\nstrengths and weaknesses,\" he said. \"It tells us the consequences
\nof past mistakes and errors. We should learn from them.\"<\/p>\n
Soeharto speech was made in his capacity as the chairman of
\nGolkar's board of patrons. Try is also a member of the board.<\/p>\n
Soeharto was not present at yesterday's celebration, which
\npeaked in a grand performance of famous artists and singers.
\nSoeharto is currently in Cartagena, Colombia, attending the
\nSummit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).<\/p>\n
In his speech, Soeharto spoke about the birth of Golkar, the
\ncritical conditions caused by the communist movement that
\npreceded its establishment and the sanctity of the state ideology
\nPancasila.<\/p>\n
\"It is the responsibility of the cadres of Golkar and of the
\nother social and political forces...to ensure that such tragedies
\ndo not happen again,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Golkar also issued a political statement yesterday prepared
\nduring its three-day leadership meeting which ended on Thursday.
\nAmong the issues addressed in the statement, read by leading
\nGolkar member Rambe Kamaruzaman, were campaign methods,
\nmonopolistic business practices, peaceful coexistence among
\nreligious groups and the protection of human rights.<\/p>\n
\"Golkar expects campaigns for the coming general elections to
\nbe held in a more communicative ways, involving both candidates
\nand their voters,\" Rambe said.<\/p>\n
\"Golkar firmly opposes any form of abuse...of religious
\nteachings, by any one, aimed at dividing,\" the statement said.<\/p>\n
Golkar laid special emphasis on the attempts of certain groups
\nof people, claiming to be speaking for openness and democracy, to
\ndestabilize the country, to disparage state institutions and the
\nexisting social and political organizations, and to undermine
\ndevelopment.<\/p>\n
The grouping also \"fully supports all efforts to protect human
\nrights and uphold democracy by strengthening political
\ncommunication,\" the statement said.<\/p>\n
Golkar also called for the abolition of monopoly practices by
\nindividuals or groups in society and for consistent efforts on
\nthe part of the government to combat them.<\/p>\n
Monopoly practices reflect greed, something which is against
\nIndonesia's development principles, the statement continued.<\/p>\n
Golkar Chairman Harmoko vowed in his speech that the grouping
\nwould remain \"the unifying force of the nation's
\npotential...without disregarding the existence and aspirations of
\nvarious groups in society\".<\/p>\n
Some 10,000 Golkar members and supporters joined the
\ncelebration. Among the dignitaries present were Malaysia's
\nMinister of Information Dato Muhammad Rahmat, Singapore's
\nMinister of Home Affairs Wong Kan Seng, several Indonesian
\ncabinet ministers and chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty, Megawati Soekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the day, all participants in Golkar's leadership
\nmeeting went to the Kalibata National Hero Cemetery to pay their
\nrespects to past leaders.<\/p>\n
Also yesterday, Golkar conferred upon 11 senior activists the
\ntitle pinisepuh, a Javanese word for respected elder. The title
\nwas conferred on former minister of religious affairs Munawir
\nSjadzali, former tourism minister Achmad Taher, former
\ncooperatives minister Bustanil Arifin and chairman of the
\nIndonesian Council of Ulemas Hasan Basri.<\/p>\n
The other recipients were the wife of former chairman of the
\nSupreme Advisory Council, M. Panggabean, former Army chief Makmun
\nMurod, former commander of the Indonesian Air Force, R. Soekardi,
\nformer Central Java governor, Munadi, businessman Hasyim Ning,
\nformer minister of finance, Radius Prawiro, and former Lampung
\ngovernor, Yasir Hadibroto.<\/p>\n
In another part of his speech yesterday, Soeharto reminded
\nGolkar members that, despite the successes and glory achieved
\nduring the past three decades, the nation still has to contend
\nwith the question of social inequality.<\/p>\n
\"There's a great challenge we have to overcome, which is the
\ngap,\" he said, adding that the next long-term development plan
\nwill be dedicated to closing the gap. (imn)<\/p>",
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