Ministers back dialog on economic crisis

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)