KWI wants wide-ranging autonomy for provinces

JAKARTA (JP): The Bishop Council of Indonesian (KWI) suggested on Thursday the new government offer wide-ranging autonomy to provinces to prevent the breakup of the nation.

Council chairman Yosef Suwatan said treating the regions fairly and empowering all people could calm calls for independence.

"If the people are treated fairly, respected and allowed to develop themselves in their own regions, national disintegration will not happen," Yosef said.

Yosef was apparently commenting on a wave of regional movements demanding for independence across the country, particularly from natural-resource rich provinces.

Demands for independence are a form of self-affirmation, which was triggered by the dissatisfaction of the people, Yosef said.

"The people have lived under pressure for a long time and found the right moment to let go of their burdens in the era of reform," he said.

During a media conference to close the council's annual meeting, Yosef urged the government to enforce justice and promote human rights in order to regain the public's trust.

He said national reconciliation could be achieved if all segments of the nation were willing to admit their weaknesses and look ahead to a new democratic country.

"We should no longer employ militaristic and authoritarian approaches in solving problems," he said.

Yosef, who also is the bishop of Manado, said national reconciliation should involve the people who had fallen victim to the continuing conflicts in Indonesia.

"These people should be heard and respected so they will feel they are part of the country," he said.

The bishop called on the nation, particularly Christians, to initiate the reconciliation by changing their attitudes and recognizing differences among people.

"Along with the government's goodwill in empowering indigenous peoples in each region, we can make national reconciliation come true," Yosef said.

Participants of the conference agreed the nation's new leaders, President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, were the most acceptable people for the jobs.

"The two are accepted by all parties in the country and could be the ones to unite the people," Yosef said.

The new leaders are expected to maintain their nationalist vision and lead the country to reconciliation, he said. (04)