Create a happy ending

Create a happy ending

From "Media Indonesia"

The amount of demonstrations has increased in the days
approaching the election of the fourth president of the Republic
of Indonesia on Oct. 20, 1999. There is therefore no harm if the
Indonesian people pray to God so that He will protect them and
their country from destruction and violence brought about by
human anger. The only way to do this is to surrender to God and
request His help.

We must pray because there are signs that we are on the brink
of destruction. This has been brought about by our own greed in
the pursuit of power. The road to power is lined with violence
that could erupt at any time affecting individuals, groups,
families and the community as a whole. Demonstrations, an
essential part of democracy, are also marked with differences of
opinion. Unfortunately if demonstrations are based on emotion and
hate, they may become not the flower of democracy, but rather the
carcass of democracy .

At this juncture every citizen should try to adopt the
principle of fair play in sports, where winning or losing is
accepted and competition during play is simply proper. However if
one side wins then the loser will then shake hands with them. A
question arises as to whether this can also happen in the
political arena. The answer to this depends on you all. However,
considering the threats that supporters of the rival presidential
candidates have launched, we are all pessimistic. Sport and
politics are wide apart. Sport is full of sportsmanship while
politics is fraught with intrigues and orchestrations.

As a housewife concerned about the safety of her children and
grandchildren, I can only pray to God that the general session of
the 1999 People's Consultative Assembly will end happily . This
means that the loser should accept his or her defeat
magnanimously, while the victor should not get drunk in his or
her victory.

NOERKALISAH

Jakarta