Gen. Edi tells people to be more restrained

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security Gen. (ret) Edi Sudradjat called on people to remain on the alert and resist provocation.

"I'm calling on all parties ... not to do anything that could harm the public's interest," the minister was quoted by Antara as saying in Yogyakarta on Saturday after attending graduation day at Veterans University.

He said unrest had hit the country hard and fast over the past months and had gone beyond the line "of what was appropriate in the life of a state and nation".

"The destruction, which shouldn't happen in a dignified nation in the first place, will only harm the people and the nation's ability to survive," he said.

He said all security personnel were expected to take firm action when dealing with disturbances, so that rules were upheld and people's everyday lives continued nationwide.

"If there are problems, handle them in accordance with existing laws. Will rioting and brutality, which hit the country recently, solve problems? Certainly not," he said.

Indonesia has been troubled by sectarian and political unrest since mid last year.

One of the worst incidents was the July 27 riot in which thousands of people went on a burning rampage after the forced takeover of the Indonesian Democratic Party's headquarters. Five were killed and more than 140 injured in the riot. Dozens of people are still missing.

Riots followed in Situbondo, East Java, Tasikmalaya, West Java, and Sanggau Ledo, West Kalimantan.

Last month's election campaign was also marked by widespread violence. More than 200 people died in campaign-related accidents. The worst violence was in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on May 23, the last day of campaigning, when 123 people were burned alive a blazing shopping center.

Analysts and government officials have tried to explain away the violence, and have blamed socioeconomic disparity and discontent over the political situation, among other things.

On Saturday, Edi also commented on social disparity and said it should be understood as something to be addressed urgently but also proportionately.

"The problem is not proof of the failure of the national development program, but is a side effect of successful development," he said.

With such an approach, people would not see social disparity as something to lament over while causing destruction, but more of a challenge to address, he added.

"By realizing that social disparity exists, we all should be motivated to improve," Edi said.

Veterans University's rector Tarwotjo presided over the graduation of 1,226 students on Saturday. (swe)