More NGOs warn of political chaos
JAKARTA (JP): Nine more non-governmental organizations warned yesterday of commonplace political violence, social injustice and abuse of power in the bureaucracy.
They expressed worries in a petition that the power holders were moving away from the ideals as established by Indonesia's founding fathers and from the materialization of popular sovereignty.
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.
Among the signatories were Ali Sadikin, a government critic; Sukmawati, daughter of the late President Sukarno; Umar Tosin from the New Masyumi; and Abdul Madjid from the Indonesian Democratic Party.
Senior journalist Sutan Ali Asli, the spokesman for the petitioners, said the petition will be submitted to President Soeharto, Speaker of the House of Representatives Wahono and other senior officials.
Reading the statement, Sutan Ali said the organizations are worried about the increasing use of "naked power" to handle state problems.
He pointed at the government's move to intervene in the prolonged leadership struggle within the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) by endorsing a rebel congress and acknowledging the results of the unconstitutional forum.
"People who love democracy, maintain moral standards and uphold the constitution will certainly reject the action to grab the party leadership," he said.
Last month at the government-backed congress in Medan, North Sumatra, Soerjadi was elected the new PDI chairman, replacing the democratically elected Megawati Soekarnoputri.
On Thursday, a group of intellectuals and political activists signed a petition, expressing fear of what they viewed as increasing cases of political violence and repression of democracy.
Among the signatories to Thursday's petition were Abdurrahman Wahid, chief of the 30-million-strong Nahdlatul Ulama; Lt. Gen. (ret.) Bambang Triantoro, a former chief the Armed Forces' sociopolitical affairs; and Lt. Gen. (ret.) M. Kharis Suhud, a former House speaker.
The nine organizations that drafted the petition called for better adherence to the 1945 Constitution.
Sutan Ali said that the number of terms a president may serve has to be limited, cabinet ministerial posts should be opened to people from different political groups and natural resources vital for the public should be controlled by the state.
The nine organizations also called for "national dialogs" to review current state affairs and discuss future strategies. (imn/pan)