Juwono shrugs off calls for quick polls
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Education and Culture Juwono Sudarsono said here yesterday that aside from logistical and budgetary constraints, the nation was ill-prepared for hasty polls.
Speaking to an informal gathering at Pembangunan Nasional University, Juwono said the social risks of a speedy poll were too big.
"Who could guarantee that there would be no outbreak of riots during election rallies if polls were held in such a difficult economic climate," he said.
Juwono was referring to demands by opposition figures and demonstrators for early polls.
Habibie, who was sworn in as president last month to replace Soeharto, has said that elections would be held next year so that a new government could take over the reigns of power by 2000.
His promises have not quieted demands for quick polls or brought an end to public distrust in the government.
Juwono warned yesterday that the nation could descend into greater chaos if democracy was not practiced with proper organization and preparation.
He pointed to India as an example where "political democracy exists, (but) rioting also exists".
"Indeed, true reformists want a more speedy election, but it's just practical matters that we are dealing with here: funding, logistics, possible social unrest," he warned.
Allocating more time to prepare for polling would give the nation a greater chance to organize a safe general election and to allocate the necessary funding, he said, pointing out that last year's general election cost over Rp 500 billion.
Juwono then argued that Indonesians historically lack a tradition of strong political institution building.
He said people here had always been idealistic about forming various movements, but when it came to the work to establish a pertinent institution, the organization and drive was not there.
He added that the Armed Forces and strong business conglomerates were the only seemingly competent organizations in the country.
Campus
Yesterday, Juwono also took the opportunity to tell several university rectors at the gathering to keep "political campaigning" off their campuses during the elections.
"Only invite political figures to hold panel discussions with the campus, but don't let them use the campus as a political arena," he said.
Juwono later told journalists that it was time for students to cease their demonstrations and return to their studies.
Separately in Yogyakarta, the rector of the state-run Gadjah Mada University, Ichlasul Amal, aired a similar call yesterday.
Amal, who was a supporter of the student reform movement at the height of demonstrations last month, said universities must retreat from the world of "real" politics and return to being a moral force in society.
"Real politics are filled with diverse interests which tend to lead to conflict and disintegration. So if this is the case, universities must retreat from real politics," he told reporters after attending an international seminar on democracy and civilian-military dialog here. (23/44/aan)