MPR urged to defend people's interests

JAKARTA (JP): Religious leaders called yesterday for the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to defend the people's interests.

They also appealed to people currently bearing the brunt of the economic crisis to refrain from resorting to acts that violated the principles of democracy, the 1945 Constitution and the existing laws.

"All religious believers are expected to peacefully channel their aspirations through the Assembly," they said in a joint statement.

The statement was signed by the vice chairman of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI), Ali Yafie; the chairman of the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI), Sularso Sopater; F.X. Suparto representing Catholics; the chairman of the Indonesian Hindu Dharma Council (PHDI), Putu Soekreta Soeranta; and the chairman of the Indonesian Buddhist Council (Walubi), Oka Diputera.

Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher received their statement on behalf of the government.

Tarmizi thanked the leaders for their dedication to the country and for their prayers for the country during the economic crisis.

He said he hoped that pluralism in the country would not become a source of conflict for the population. (prb)