More organizations back Soeharto's re-election

JAKARTA (JP): Over 10,000 Christians in Bali and a Moslem organization affiliated with the ruling Golkar organization proclaimed support Saturday for the re-election of President Soeharto in 1998.

They said that President Soeharto, who has been in power for almost 30 years, is still needed to ensure a stable government and continuation of development.

The Christians from four denominations in Bali are affiliated to a mass organization, MKGR, that represents one of Golkar's key elements.

The Christians also pledged allegiance to Golkar, which will participate in next year's general election along with the Moslem-oriented United Development Party (PPP) and the nationalist-Christian alliance Indonesian Democratic Party.

Spokesman for the Christians, David Ph. Soleman was quoted by Antara as saying that Soeharto deserves another five-year term in office because no other figure has his statesmanship.

"President Soeharto's ability to lead the country is beyond doubt," David said in a gathering which was also attended by local Golkar leaders and Jakartan entertainers who support Golkar.

He urged the 1,000-strong People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to re-elect President Soeharto when it convenes in 1998.

The Christians in Bali also pledged to make the 1997 general election a success and to vote for Golkar.

David threatened Christians who refused to vote for Golkar with dismissal from MKGR because their action would violate the organization's statute.

Meanwhile, top leaders of the Moslem organization Tarbiyah Islamiyah who gathered in the scenic West Sumatra town of Bukittinggi also pledged their support for President Soeharto's re-election.

They prayed for President Soeharto's health and re-election in 1998 and proposed that the late First Lady Tien Soeharto be conferred national heroine status.

Tarbiyah Islamiyah is headed by Ismail Hasan, one of Golkar deputy chiefs.

The organization's leaders were in Bukittinggi for a national congress, which was opened by Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anaz on Thursday.

The religious activists and both organizations' open support for Golkar was only the latest endorsements.

Last week, the 1.2 million strong Buddhist Niciren Syosyu denomination promised to vote for the ruling Golkar party in the 1997 general election.

"We will never regret it if we choose Golkar to continue the New Order government," Niciren Syosyu leader Herwindra Aiko Senosoenoto said in Medan, North Sumatra.

Aiko was addressing 1,200 North Sumatra sect members taking part in a Golkar gathering. Religious affairs ministry and Golkar officials were also present.

She said sect members believe that only Golkar could ensure continued prosperity and guarantee the nation's unity, Antara reported. (pan)