Eight governors sign 'Jogja Declaration'
YOGYAKARTA (JP): In anticipation of possible unrest before, during and after the People's Consultative Assembly's special session scheduled for Aug. 1, eight governors signed a joint statement called the Jogja Declaration on Friday, vowing to join hands in preventing their provinces from descending into chaos.
The declaration was signed in the Amarta Ballroom at the Melia Purosani Hotel at 11:30 p.m. on Friday and was then read out by Yogyakarta Governor Hamengkubuwono X.
"This declaration is our response to the current national condition. Whatever happens in the central government, we don't want any regional conflicts," he said.
The eight governors -- grouped in Mitra Praja Utama (the Governors' Forum) -- want their provinces to remain calm before, during and after the Assembly's special session, he said.
"It's our obligation to make our people feel safe and secure. That's what we are gathering here for," he added.
Friday's signatories included Lampung Governor Oemarsono, West Java Governor R. Nuriana, Hakamuddin Djamal of Banten, Jakarta's Sutiyoso, Yogyakarta's Hamengkubuwono X, Central Java Governor Mardiyanto and Dewa Berata of Bali.
East Java Governor Imam Utomo, who was represented by one of his deputies at the meeting, will sign the declaration at a later date.
Provincial military commanders and police chiefs overseeing Java, Bali and Lampung also attended the signing of the declaration.
"Considering the latest political developments that have the potential to jeopardize national integrity, and which is worsened by the prolonged multifaceted crisis, we are signing the declaration as a warning to everyone," said Hamengkubuwono.
The governors warned in the declaration that democratization without law enforcement would only result in an authoritarian political situation.
"We also remind the Indonesian people that the worsening social and economic resilience, short-term political objectives and the weakening sense of nationalism could speed up the process of national disintegration," said Hamengkubuwono X.
The governors also vowed to have security personnel take strict and firm action against anyone or group threatening public security.
"People's patience and tolerance have almost reached their limit. If the limit is crossed, there will be social conflicts. Therefore we hope that the special session will decide things based on professionalism, not just political sentiments.
"We also hope that the special session will be able to restore mutual trust and respect among Indonesian people, and to put public interest, national unity and state sovereignty above all for the sake of a new Indonesian society," said Hamengkubuwono.
He said that copies of the declaration would be sent to President Abdurrahman Wahid, Assembly Speaker Amien Rais and House Speaker Akbar Tandjung. (23)