Betawi people vow to help General Session succeed

Betawi people vow to help General Session succeed

JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of members of the Betawi (native
Jakartans) community have pledged to help next month's People's
Consultative Assembly General Session succeed.

The crowd, arriving in about 1,000 buses from all over Greater
Jakarta, which includes Tangerang, Bekasi and Bogor, made the
pledge yesterday at the Senayan east parking lot, Central
Jakarta, during a display of unity in a post-Idul Fitri
celebration.

The gathering was arranged to forge public support and to
ensure safety in the capital ahead of next month's General
Session to elect a president for the 1998/2003 period and amid
economic uncertainty and growing unemployment.

In a brief address in front of the people, Fahmi Idris, a
representative of Bamus Betawi -- a Betawi discussion group which
hosted the gathering -- revealed its six-point pledge that mainly
stated the Jakartans' spirit to keep the country's unity in
diversity.

"We never stop praying for the sake of this country. We are
deeply concerned about the economic crisis which has hit this
city and this nation hard," he said.

"Therefore, we won't let any irresponsible parties take
advantage of the situation and will stay close to the Armed
Forces to avoid any possible chaotic condition," Fahmi said.

The national development is the best concept possible here and
it must be maintained by the New Order government, he said,
underlining the importance of keeping peace and a positive mind
without thinking about race, religion or culture.

"This Syawal month is a good opportunity to forgive each
other. We, the Betawi, forgive all the wrongdoings of all parties
that may be involved in corruption, collusion or any
malfeasance... in a hope that all people will redeem themselves
and stop making the same mistakes," Fahmi said, followed by big
applause.

Also on stage for the reading of the Betawi's six-point pledge
were several Bamus' representatives, including Fauzi Bowo, Edy
Nalapraya, Amarullah Asbah and Quraish Shihab.

After the reading, all guests of honor went on stage and gave
Idul Fitri greetings to each other.

Most of the city's high-ranking officials and figures went to
the gathering. Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso, Jakarta Military
Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, City Police chief Maj.
Gen. Hamami Natta and City Council Chairman Edy Waluyo were among
the guests.

The chairman of Bamus Betawi, Edi Nalapraya, reiterated his
colleague's remarks by saying the people were at a crucial
turning point. "If we want to survive, we have to keep the
unity," he said.

"Betawi people who are called primitive and slow-developing
eventually join the forces of unity. This is very important," he
said.

The Rp 63 million event was broadcast live by RCTI from 7:30
a.m. to 10 a.m.

Many participants were seen bringing their own mats and
refreshments.

"Some 55,000 people have joined this event, including 8,000
residents sent by each of Jakarta's five mayoralties and 5,000
people from Tangerang and Bekasi, with another 5,000 security
personnel," said Let. Col. D.J. Nachrowi, Jakarta Military
Command spokesman.

Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin told reporters during the event
that Jakarta was safe and secure.

"Despite the increasingly tense political condition here due
to several activities ahead of next month's General Session,
Jakarta is still under control," he said.

When asked about a series of riots hitting several cities and
areas near Jakarta, Sjafrie urged residents to strengthen unity
and not be easily provoked by rumors.

"We will not let people suffer because of some nasty actions.
Therefore, we will give our best service to protect and guard the
people," he said.

Many male attendants wore the traditional costume, arriving in
PPD and Mayasari Bakti city buses and Metromini and Kopaja
minibuses.

Attendants distributed McDonald's food as they came to the
arena.

"I like it, as if it is a payment for us," said teenager Sri
Indra Sutiani, from Kemang, South Jakarta.

The crowd was entertained by Indonesian performers, including
Jaja Miharja, Titik Puspa, Gito Rollies and Dedi Mizwar.
(edt/ind)