Minister shares critics' concern on democracy

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. shares government critics' concern over widespread political violence and repression of democracy in Indonesia.

Yogie said here yesterday he would accept the critics' recent statement of concern over the mounting political problems as "constructive input."

"I am also concerned over the increasing political violence and repression of democracy," Yogie told reporters after installing the deputy governors of Jambi, East Java, West Kalimantan and South Sulawesi.

Yogie was referring to a petition signed last week by a group of prominent intellectuals and government critics expressing their apprehension over what they viewed as increasing political violence and repression of democracy.

Among the signatories of the "July 1 Statement" were chairman of the 30-million strong Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Abdurrahman Wahid, former Armed Forces chief of sociopolitical affairs Lt. Gen. (ret) Bambang Triantoro and former House Speaker Lt. Gen. (ret.) Kharis Suhud.

Abdurrahman, known as Gus Dur, said Tuesday that he and other signatories of the petition will distribute over five million forms to the general public. Those who share the same concerns over current political developments are being asked to sign the forms and return them to the group.

Yogie said that the government would welcome the political statement. "The petition will be good input for the government," he said.

Apart from the July 1st Statement, nine non-governmental organizations issued a similar statement last Friday, warning of commonplace political violence, social injustice and abuse of power in the bureaucracy.

The statement was made by leaders of the Indonesian National Unity organization, New Masyumi, Parkindo, Petisi 50, Forum for Restoration of People's Sovereignty, Young Indonesia Organization, Marhaen People's Movement, Forum Perjuangan 1 Juni 1945 and Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union.

They expressed concern in the petition that power holders were moving away from the ideals established by Indonesia's founding fathers and from the materialization of popular sovereignty. They also called for "national dialogs" to review current state affairs and discuss future strategies.

Yogie, however, criticized the intellectuals and government critics for only focusing on the negative impact of national development and ignoring the successes.

"It would be better if the intellectuals and government critics also mentioned our successful development programs," he said.

Asked about a request by the Independent Election Monitoring Committee to cancel the 1997 general election, Yogie said that the request was baseless.

Attorney General Singgih, who is also chairman of the official Election Supervision Committee, said on Tuesday that the decision on the future of the election is in the President's hands.

"The President has the authority on the general election because he is the one who is responsible for the implementation of the elections," Singgih said. (imn)