Juwono shrugs off calls for quick polls
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)