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