Hats off to Habibie!

Hats off to Habibie!

From Suara Karya

We listened to your televised statement on Oct. 20, 1999, in which you said that taking into account the situation as a whole, and for the sake of the nation and the country, you had chosen not to run for the presidency. We, the Barisan Nasional (Barnas = national front), an ethical movement institute representing the nation's aspirations, hereby state our appreciation and pride in your stance. May this benefit the unity of our nation and country.

We are a nation that upholds cohesion and unity. We implement the mandate implied in Pancasila. You deserve to be an example for the whole nation, proving that the concerns of religion, the nation and the country are above personal and group interests.

The fairness you have shown in the current situation is very appropriate, thus you deserve the appreciation. In fact, it was this very act that the Indonesian people have been waiting for.

God willing, your action will boost the status of the Indonesian nation in the eyes of the international world.

May your action also speak to the political elites who continue to defend their own and their group's ambitions while neglecting the interests of the nation.

We think that your experience and capability can be profitably used in line with what we, the Barisan Nasional, are doing as an ethical movement and can be used as an effective control mechanism against all deviations in the life of the nation and the country.

A. KEMAL IDRIS

Chairman of the Barnas Presidium

RACHMAT WITULAR

Barnas secretary-general