Akbar calls on the nation to boost spirit of nationalism

Akbar calls on the nation to boost spirit of nationalism

JAKARTA (JP): House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung
in his address at the official start of a new House session on
Wednesday stressed the need for the nation to evoke the spirit of
nationalism to face the country's problems.

"Nationalism is needed to reach the goal of independence, to
uphold the unitary state which is based on the state Constitution
and Pancasila state ideology," Akbar, who is the Golkar Party
chairman, said in his speech.

He warned that the nation was now facing various problems, not
only a social and economic crisis but also serious religious
conflicts in many areas in the country.

He urged the public to use the momentum of the Aug. 17
independence day celebrations to forge a joint commitment to
reduce differences for the sake of the nation.

"The independence day should also be used as a moment for
introspection, to find wisdom," Akbar said before President
Abdurrahman Wahid gave his state of the nation address.

He said, therefore, that the House urged the government to
settle conflicts in Maluku, Aceh and Irian Jaya provinces through
peaceful means.

Commenting on the People's Consultative Assembly's Annual
Session, Akbar pointed out that it was a new experience in the
country's state affairs which could be considered a form of
public accountability by the state organs in exercising their
tasks and functions within the framework of reform and democracy.

He noted that he expected the Assembly's Annual Session to
produce decisions and decrees with optimum strategic values in
the handling problems faced by the nation.

"It is, thus, only right for us to prioritize the interests of
the people, nation and country over individual and partisan
ones," he said.

"Conscience is the eternal voice of truth and justice, which
cannot be suppressed by anyone, and will always guide us in our
struggle to achieve the ideals of the Proclamation (of
Independence)," he added. (jun)