Use Ramadhan for introspection, minister says<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and
\nSecurity Soesilo Soedarman stressed the importance of
\nintrospection, particularly for those who consider themselves
\ncommunity leaders.<\/p>\n
Though he did not refer to any specific person or
\norganization, Soesilo's statement comes amid the controversy and
\ninternal bickering in several leading social-political
\norganizations.<\/p>\n
He said that the Moslem fasting month should be used to
\n\"heighten self-restraint and understanding in order to strengthen
\nnational unity and unite form and content.\"<\/p>\n
Moslems revere the month of Ramadhan as a holy month in which
\nthey fast and try to conduct themselves as well as possible. This
\nyear Ramadhan goes from Jan. 22 to Feb. 19.<\/p>\n
Both the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), a mass Moslem organization, and
\nthe minority Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) have been
\nembroiled in internal conflicts lately.<\/p>\n
There have been suggestions that some elements in the
\ngovernment have had a hand in fueling the conflict in the two
\norganizations. NU chairman Abdurrahman Wahid and members of the
\nPDI are known to be vocal critics of the government.<\/p>\n
However, responding to questions from journalists, Soesilo
\nsaid that \"It is no longer relevant for the government to
\nintervene in social or political organizations,\".<\/p>\n
The continuing disputes at the two organizations, some of
\nwhich have been going on for two-years, have prompted calls for
\ngovernment arbitration and facilitation to find an acceptable
\nsolution.<\/p>\n
Soesilo maintained that the government should restrain itself
\nfrom intervening.<\/p>\n
\"That's the way it is supposed to be,\" he remarked.<\/p>\n
Soesilo spoke after chairing a monthly meeting on political
\nand security issues with fellow cabinet members. Attending the
\nmeeting were Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, Armed Forces Chief Gen.
\nFeisal Tanjung, Minister of Justice Oetojo Oesman, Attorney
\nGeneral Singgih, and the head of the National Intelligence
\nCoordinating Board (BAKIN) Soedibyo.<\/p>\n
Commenting on recent reports that PDI members were planning to
\nnominate their chief Megawati Soekarnoputri, the eldest daughter
\nof late President Sukarno, Soesilo said it was the prerogative of
\nthat party to do so. \"Go ahead and nominate her,\" he remarked.<\/p>\n
When further pressed why the Association of Retired Servicemen
\n(Pepabri), which Soesilo chairs, had not yet formally expressed
\nits backing for a presidential candidate, he replied that it was
\nnot the time yet.<\/p>\n
He said that the General Assembly of the People's
\nRepresentative Council (MPR) which elects the president is not
\ndue to convene until 1998 and that thus there was ample time
\nleft.<\/p>\n
Pepabri would probably declare its endorsement during the
\nMPR's General Assembly, he said.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Legion of Veterans, which is headed by former
\ncabinet minister Achmad Taher on Monday officially endorsed
\nPresident Soeharto's nomination for another presidential term.<\/p>\n
\"If you want to nominate someone else, go ahead,\" he said.
\n(mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/use-ramadhan-for-introspection-minister-says-1447893297",
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