Catholics urged to vote 'clean'
Catholics urged to vote 'clean'
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Indonesian Bishop Council (KWI) urged Catholics across the
country to vote only for candidates with clean track records
during the elections next year, regardless of religious or
political affiliation.
KWI chairman Julius Kardinal Darmaatmadja said on Thursday
that despite their status as minorities in this country,
Catholics in Indonesia had a great responsibility to join in the
efforts to build a clean government.
"We can see that the country is facing serious problems
because of rampant greed and corruption. As citizens, it is our
responsibility to stop this behavior and fight against greed,"
Julius asserted during a press conference that capped KWI's 10-
day meeting here.
He said he was impressed by the national anticorruption
campaign launched by the country's two largest Muslim
organizations Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah.
"We (Christians) must join and support the anticorruption
movement," said Julius, who along with NU chairman Hasyim Muzadi
and Muhammadiyah chairman Syafii Maarif, founded the National
Moral Movement last year.
NU and Muhammadiyah, in cooperation with the Partnership,
kicked of the movement early last month, starting with upholding
integrity within their own organizations.
Indonesia has regularly won the dubious honor of being named
one of the most corrupt countries in the world, but current and
past leaders have remained in denial, usually responding by
saying the methods used to determine corruption were flawed.
Observers have said corruption had ironically become more
predominant and pervasive since the reform movement began six
years ago -- the very raison d'etre of said movement.
Julius said KWI would issue a simple election guide with
recommended candidates, or those who are thought to have a
relatively high level of integrity.
The figures that KWI plans to support will ideally be
candidates of good character, those who promote social justice
and put the nation's interests before any individual or group.
"I'm not going to intervene in the political rights of
Catholic people because they have their own perceptions about
politics. But as a leader, I want to promote a united vision,"
Julius said.
He said Indonesian Catholic churches would begin distributing
the guide book amid concerns of an increase in corruption,
nepotism and collusion ahead of the election.
"People who hold power continue to hold the money, while
penniless people are dying out here," he lamented.
"I wish to enlighten my congregation and make them understand
how to exercise their political rights. They have to choose the
right candidates regardless of their political parties."
The guideline, which will be issued soon, will provide
Catholics with a clear background of the basic problems facing
the country, including money politics, huge foreign debts and
environmental destruction.
"The goal is to abide by clear principles during the 2004
general elections," Julius said.
The guideline was formulated during the meeting of the 39
bishops under KWI.
KWI secretary-general Ignatius Suharyo, who accompanied Julius
during the press conference, said "the issue of politics was
deliberately discussed" as the country was bracing itself for the
elections.
The country will elect its legislative members on April 5 and
the president in June or, if no candidate wins the majority vote,
in September next year.
Suharyo said KWI would focus on socio-economic issues in the
next convention, while in 2005, cultural issues would be the
highlight.