High hopes for Abdurrahman to restore stability in RI

High hopes for Abdurrahman to restore stability in RI

HONG KONG (Agencies): The democratic election of new Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid generated praise around the world on Wednesday, mixed with hope that the frail leader can usher in a new era of stability in the country.

Wahid, a 59-year-old Muslim intellectual, emerged from weeks of political uncertainty to grab a stunning victory in Wednesday's presidential election vote and became the country's fourth president.

Expressions of support flooded in from governments around the world, mostly tinged with hope that the new leader can put Indonesia firmly on the road to democracy.

There were also appeals for the people of Indonesia to accept the result and not to resort to street violence which ousted former president Soeharto in May 1998 and marred almost every step of outgoing president B.J. Habibie.

United States Assistant Secretary of State Stanley Roth said it was crucial for the Indonesian people to accept the democratic process.

"There has been a peaceful (election) process within Indonesia and it has taken place in a context of a debate within the Indonesian constitutional context," he told reporters in Singapore.

"There were large demonstrations, but only insignificant violence, certainly not a crisis and it turned out the way many people said could not happen."

Roth said future U.S. relations with Jakarta, including the possible resumption of military contacts suspended in the wake of violence in East Timor, would depend on the new government's actions.

"We (the U.S. and the international community) have made it very clear that we want to help Indonesia, and we want to see a prosperous unified Indonesia. But a lot depends on what the new government does," he said as quoted by AFP.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono said Tokyo's historical ties with Jakarta would continue but urged Wahid to push ahead with painful democratic and economic reforms.

"I expect further progress in Indonesia's reform effort under the leadership of the new president, Mr. Wahid, and our country will continue to extend support for this reform effort," Kono said.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard described Abdurrahman as a political reformer and welcomed the chance to "open a new chapter" in the often rocky relations between the neighboring countries.

"I can assure Mr. Wahid of the goodwill of the Australian government ... and our support as he faces the huge challenge of leading Indonesia through political transition and achieving economic recovery," he said.

Echoing hope for Indonesia's speedy recovery from its crippling economic crisis, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Supachai Panitchpakdi said "urgent restructuring" was the immediate task at hand for Jakarta.

Separately, Thai foreign ministry spokesman Don Pramudwinai expressed hope that the election of Abdurrahman would restore political stability to Indonesia, which would benefit not only the nation but also its ties to Thailand and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai will send two formal letters to Indonesia, firstly to congratulate the new president and secondly to express appreciation for outgoing president B.J. Habibie's role," foreign ministry spokesman Don Pramudwinai said.

Don said Habibie would be commended for organizing free and democratic elections in Indonesia and for allowing the people of East Timor to vote for independence from Jakarta.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Wahid would need popular support to lead an effective government, while his Foreign Minister, Syed Hamid Albar, lauded the "truly free democratic election".

"I think everybody should respect the result," Syed Hamid said as quoted by Reuters.

"We look forward to a very healthy and strong relationship with Indonesia. We hope the situation in Indonesia will be back to normal and they can concentrate on efforts to bring the country back into positive recovery."

In Manila, the Philippines on Wednesday warmly congratulated Abdurrahman on his election.

Foreign Secretary Domingo Siazon said Manila also congratulated the people of Indonesia for "ensuring that the process of transition towards democracy is achieved in as rapid and as peaceful a manner as possible".

"The Philippine government awaits, with deep interest, the establishment of a new government by the newly elected leader of Indonesia," Siazon added, noting that the vision of a democratic Indonesia is being realized steadily with the election of a new president.

"The Philippines, as a close neighbor and an ASEAN brother, stands ready to work together with Indonesia towards the achievement of the democratic aspirations of its people," he added.

In Seoul, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in a statement said, "The election of Wahid as president marks the first peaceful transfer of power between the ruling and opposition parties since Indonesia's independence in 1945."

"Our government also hopes that the launch of a new government in Indonesia will strengthen the traditional friendship between the two countries," the statement said as reported by DPA.