Election-related riots need anticipation

Election-related riots need anticipation

Indonesian Military Chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto acknowledged that -- based on intelligence data -- there were political groups planning to sabotage the 2004 elections.

The groups, according to the general, target the relevant laws and regulations on the elections in such a way that they will not be improperly upheld or enforced.

If the intelligence is correct, there will be very serious chaos that could impact seriously on the nation. The act of sabotage would inevitably evoke anger among the supporters of other political parties.

Chaos could lead to the destabilization of social and economic structures, and it would take Indonesians a long time to recover.

We cannot take such a possibility for granted. There must be anticipation. The military and police must be able to keep everything in order, including safeguarding the routes for the supply of staple foods.

The government must also secure businesses and the people alone must be alert to possible provocations.

We all must work hard to make the coming election a success.

-- Investor Indonesia, Jakarta