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