Councilors ask for halt of rallies during Ramadhan

JAKARTA (JP): City councilors have suggested that people refrain from staging street rallies in the capital during the upcoming Moslem's fasting month of Ramadhan.

The month of Ramadhan is expected to begin on Dec. 19.

When contacted by The Jakarta Post on Tuesday, councilors Ida Mawaddah Noor, Chaidir Fadhil and Sumekar encouraged the people to channel their dissatisfaction through other means such as discussions during the Islamic holy month.

Ida from the Golkar faction pointed out that Moslems are expressly forbidden from getting angry during the month.

"Staging a street rally in the city would certainly cause heavy traffic congestion which, in turn, could easily make other people angry," she said.

"The fasting of Moslems would be considered incorrect if they become angry," said Ida, who is also chairwoman of the Al Hidayah Koranic recital group.

She said that Moslems are required to improve their self- restraint and fight against passions during the month of Ramadhan.

"I hope people are willing to respect it. So I urge Jakartans, be they students, activists or from other communities, to refrain from staging street demonstrations," Ida said.

"If people want to voice their frustrations with regards to the current political or economic situation, they could organize discussions or speak to the media," she added.

The capital, like many other large cities in the country, has witnessed a series of street demonstrations which began early this year.

Demonstrations reached a crescendo after the Trisakti University shooting incident on May 12 and during last month's Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly.

Since then, street protests have taken place almost every day in the capital. As a result, many streets have been blocked and traffic flows diverted.

Councilor Chaidir Fadhil from Commission E for social welfare said Ramadhan should not be contaminated by evil things.

He said he was referring to rallies which had turned into riots and lead to looting, arson and general disorder.

"There are always people who attempt to provoke others. The chances of this happening should be avoided during the holy month," said Chaidir, who is also chairman of the Jakarta branch of the Islamic Propagation Council.

Councilor Sumekar, who heads the Armed Forces faction in the council, said he hoped that Jakarta would remain calm and peaceful during the fasting month.

"I hope people will restrain themselves," he said. (ind)