Stop complaining about shortcomings: Soeharto<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto said yesterday it was
\nneedless for the nation to complain about development
\nshortcomings, much less let discontent grow so that people lost
\nself control and became destructive.<\/p>\n
Opening the 18th National Koran Reading Contest in Jambi last
\nnight, Soeharto said the nation should be grateful for the
\nsuccess and happiness it had received. It should also be strong
\nand patient when facing scarcity and failure.<\/p>\n
\"Hasn't Allah promised in the Koran that He is with those who
\nare patient,\" Soeharto said.<\/p>\n
\"We should never stop cherishing the successful development
\nthat we have been doing all this time which has brought us
\nnational pride,\" he said. \"Therefore, let's start during the
\nfestivities of this Koran reading contest to give more back to
\nour surroundings.\"<\/p>\n
Soeharto urged Moslems to help their brothers still living in
\npoverty, especially by sending their children to school.<\/p>\n
\"Our Prophet Muhammad reminded us that poverty can lead people
\nto become infidels, while ignorance makes people unable to
\ndiscern right from wrong,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The government is spending Rp 12 billion (US$500 million) on
\nthe week-long contest which involves 1,257 delegations from all
\ncorners of Indonesia. About 5,000 people, including guests from
\nneighboring countries, the Middle East and South Africa, attended
\nthe opening ceremony, Antara reported.<\/p>\n
Jambi Governor Abdurrahman Sayoeti was quoted by the news
\nagency as saying Tuesday that 40 percent of funding for the
\ncontest had been drawn from the last two provincial budgets.<\/p>\n
Other funding had come from donations by businesspeople and
\nthe general public, and every participating province had
\ncontributed Rp 20 million, he said.<\/p>\n
\"So, staging the event wouldn't disturb the province's other
\ndevelopment sectors,\" Sayoeti said.<\/p>\n
The contest is being held about seven kilometers away from the
\nprovince's capital Jambi. It will end July 15.<\/p>\n
President Soeharto said, \"If Moslems have been able to
\ncollectively raise that huge sum of money to stage this event, we
\nshould be able to raise a much bigger sum to help eradicate
\npoverty and provide scholarships to poor children.\"<\/p>\n
Soeharto said this might not be easy although it would succeed
\nif it were carried out with strong will and sincerity. (aan)<\/p>",
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