Gen. Edi tells people to be more restrained
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)