Eight governors sign 'Jogja Declaration'

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)