Leaders warn Moslems over 'provocation

Leaders warn Moslems over 'provocation

JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of people attended a gathering on
Monday at the Al Azhar mosque in South Jakarta to hear speeches
by renown Moslem leaders on Monday.

Meanwhile on Tuesday the Senayan Sports Stadium was packed as
the chairman of the rising Crescent and Star Party, Prof. Yusril
Ihza Mahendra, addressed followers. Following branches in several
provinces the Party was installing its Jakarta executive board.
Both gatherings urged Moslems to be careful against
"provocation."

Yusril and secretary general MS Kaban expressed condolences of
victims during the Special Session of the People's Consultative
Assembly. They urged all parties to respect the results and
"follow up on aspirations yet to be accommodated" in
deliberations on political laws. A decree justifying the Armed
Forces continued representation in the legislative body, though
expected, has sparked outrage.

At Al Azhar, Ali Yafie, vice chairman of the Indonesian Ulemas
Council (MUI), the poet Taufik Ismail and Amien Rais, the
chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), were among speakers
who called on Moslems to adhere to the principle of Ukhuwah
Islamiyah, or Islamic brothership, and not to become the victims
of a political conspiracy to divide them, Antara reported.

"With the emergence of a number of new Moslem organizations,
we must be careful not to become enmeshed in conflict and mock
each other," Amien said. Amien is also a former chairman of the
Muhammadiyah Moslem organization.

Amien said he was saddened by rising poverty, which he claimed
had come about despite the country's abundant natural resources
because government officials are "busy enriching themselves."

He called on the country's Moslems to work with all parties
with good intentions to ensure the success of the reform
movement. However, he advised they be "careful" in choosing
partners, saying that those seeking "hostility and sin" should be
avoided.

Husein Umar, a member of the People's Consultative Assembly,
pointed out that the 1,000 strong Assembly had worked hard to
accommodate the people's rising aspirations during last week's
special session which ended on Friday.

"All Moslems' aspirations, except that regarding the Armed
Forces' (ABRI) dual-function were accommodated," said the United
Development Party (PPP) executive. PPP lost in the vote to
exclude the Armed Forces from the country's legislatures.

Umar proudly pointed out that the PPP had succeeded in its
struggle to get provisions for an investigation of former
president Soeharto included in an Assembly decree. He also
claimed credit for the fact that Pancasila is no longer the sole
and obligatory ideology for all political parties and mass
organizations.

Ali Yafie urged all Moslems to oppose any movements intent on
toppling the legitimate government. "It is the obligation of all
Moslems to fight against tyranny and violence," Ali said.

After delivering his address, Amien was hounded for comment on
the interrogation of political opposition figures suspected of
subversion. He said that the activists "had nothing to worry
about" as long as the investigations were transparent and fair,
adding that the law "should not be bent" for political purposes.
He also warned of "hidden agendas" being pursued by unnamed
parties.

When asked if he intends to join demonstrations to demand an
investigation into the deaths during last week's unrest, Amien
replied that he was being "very careful."

"Nowadays it's almost impossible to tell friend from foe. I
must follow moral guidelines and accurate political
calculations," he said. (prb)