Moral commitment

Moral commitment

Towards the general election slated for early June 1999, many
of our fellow countrymen, whether of Chinese origin or not, and
aliens, are getting ready to leave the country. Besides, many
companies, both national and foreign, have postponed new
investments and business expansion. There is fear, therefore,
that the country's economic activities, now proceeding only with
difficulty, will shortly come to a complete standstill.

People are worried that toward the general election --
particularly during the campaigning period and on voting day --
incidents like those now going on in Ambon will break out in
major cities across the country. In short, the situation in the
run up to the general election is felt to be both very uncertain
and frightening.

To foster optimism and a little confidence that the upcoming
polls will proceed safely and peacefully, I wish to propose that
the Minister of Home Affairs, the Commander of the Armed Forces
and general chairpersons of political parties -- whether taking
part in the upcoming election or not -- sign a sort of a joint
public statement that the 1999 general election will proceed
safely and peacefully. It will be even better if this joint
statement also gives a "guarantee" along those lines.

In the light of such a statement, all social forces will be
morally committed to doing their best to ensure that the general
election proceeds safely and peacefully. It will inspire greater
optimism and confidence on the part of the community.

Consequently, the community will be bolstered to participate in
monitoring the organization of the election in order to ensure
that it is safe, peaceful, honest, fair and transparent. God
willing!

AMIR KARAMOY

Jakarta