More organizations back Soeharto's re-election
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)