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.