Ministers back dialog on economic crisis
JAKARTA (JP): Two senior cabinet ministers declared their support yesterday for a plan to hold a national dialog involving public figures and staunch critics of the government to discuss ways of overcoming the present economic crisis.
Minister of Defense Gen. Edi Sudradjat and Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. said they hoped the dialog, planned for this week, would come up with a set of recommendations.
They would be treated as input for the government, Edi said before attending a limited cabinet meeting to discuss the nation's political and security situation. "We'll channel these recommendations to relevant government agencies."
Edi suggested the results of the dialog be presented to the House of Representatives (DPR). "I'm sure their aspirations will find their way to the top leaders."
Yogie, who presided over the meeting, said the government would respond positively to the planned dialog. "We will, in all earnest, accept the people's aspirations," he said.
Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung gave a different response when asked for his opinion. "It's none of my business," he said.
The dialog was the initiative of Adi Sasono, secretary-general of the influential Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals. Adi suggested the inclusion of critical public figures such as Megawati Soekarnoputri, Abdurrahman Wahid and Amien Rais in the dialog.
All three figures have been vocal in recent weeks in calling for political reforms, which they said were the only way out of the current economic predicament.
Megawati, the ousted Indonesian Democratic Party leader, and Amien, chairman of the 28-million strong Muhammadiyah Moslem organization, said they would gladly take part in the dialog.
However, Abdurrahman, the chairman of the 30-million strong Nahdlatul Ulama Moslem organization, said he could not join because he had prior commitments in East Java this week.
The Republika daily reported yesterday the meeting would be held Friday in Jakarta.
Yesterday's meeting was the first after a four-month hiatus, and the first since the death of Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman last month.
President Soeharto has decided against replacing Soesilo since the cabinet will be disbanded March 1 to make way for a new cabinet.
Also present at the meeting were Minister of Justice Oetojo Oesman, Attorney General Singgih, State Intelligence Coordinating Board Chief Moetojib and National Police Chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo.
Yogie said later that the meeting reviewed the political situation and concluded that certain parties were taking advantage of the crisis by fanning rumors to create unrest among people.
"The government will not sit still. We will take firm action against those who spread rumors," he said.
Yogie asked people to remain calm.
He also told traders and shopkeepers not to hoard food supplies because such an action could further create unrest.
The government, he said, would also deal firmly against people who tried to profit from the situation.
Police and the military have launched an operation to check on shops in Jakarta and major cities following reports that some have refused to sell their products or were only willing to do so after hiking prices. (imn)