Forecasts foment fear of elections
Forecasts foment fear of elections
The most recent predictions on the upcoming general elections have not been good, and they will likely strike fear into the hearts of most people. Forecasts of the elections triggering riots, even a social revolution, cannot be ignored.
Possible violence and chaos, which will disrupt the elections might stem from crimes, money politics, corruption, collusion and nepotism -- negative factors which continue to dominate Indonesian society.
The delay in the provision of ballot boxes and conflict among members of the General Elections Commission (KPU) are signs that the general elections could be postponed.
National Resilience Council Secretary-General Budi Santoso, said if the polls were held as scheduled, unrest was likely to occur ahead of the second round of the presidential and vice presidential election on Sept. 20.
The presidential election is prone to political "transactions" that could lead to political problems.
The government should thus eliminate injustice, social envy, and hatred so as to reduce the chances for unexpected things to happen, as well as to ensure the success of the general elections.
-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta
;THE DAILY STAR; ANPAk..r.. OtherOp-haj-stampete Tragedy at Mecca our condolences JP/6/Other
Tragedy at Mecca our condolences
We express our deepest condolences to the families and friends, not only of the Bangladeshi pilgrims, but also those from other Asian nations who lost their lives in a stampede in Mecca. This kind of tragic end to life is never expected, especially while one is far away from family and friends. Our hearts go out in sympathy for the bereaved families as well as for those who have been injured.
The Saudi authorities have announced 'overall plans' to modernize the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. It is a long-term perspective plan with a 20-year time-frame which should be welcomed for its projected comprehensive benefits. But on the scale of time, it is a long drawn-out scheme. But Eid comes ever year, so that millions of pilgrims will continue to throng the holy sites annually. It is our earnest hope that the essential precautionary steps will have been put in place before the next Eid-ul-Azha (Idul Adha).
We know that it's a tall order, but meeting it will surely go along with the sentiments and expectations of the Muslims the world over. This was not the only time when such unfortunate loss of lives had taken place. Last year, fourteen pilgrims died during the same ritual while 35 lives were lost in 2001. Not to forget 118 people who died in 1998 with the worst accident being in 1990 when more than a thousand pilgrims were trampled to death or suffocated in a stampede in a tunnel in Mina.
With the exalted status the Saudi authorities have as the 'guardian of the holy places' and the host country, we are hopeful of an early comprehensive solution to the stampede- related casualties during Haj.
-- The Daily Star, Dhaka