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;
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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