No short cuts to change: PPP chairman

No short cuts to change: PPP chairman

JAKARTA (JP): The United Development Party (PPP) has
affirmed its customary stance by rejecting the revolutionary
"people's power" and, instead, advocating gradual change and
reforms.

"The PPP will not budge from its stance that changes in all
aspects of life should be made constitutionally, gradually and
continuously," Chairman Ismail Hasan Metareum said while opening
a meeting of the Jakarta branch of his party yesterday.

"Change cannot be achieved via shortcuts, abruptly, much less
through a revolution," he said as quoted by the Antara news
agency.

Abrupt changes through anarchy, even if they yield results,
would be only temporary in nature, he said.

"Those who attempt to use 'people's power' in seeking change
and reforms will not only have to contend with the government and
the armed forces, but also with the people who can no longer be
fooled," he said.

"The PPP is against change and reforms carried out in
unconstitutional ways," he said. "The PPP also disagrees with
those who suggest there is a dichotomy between the government and
the people, because the government is part of the people."

He said the PPP was unwilling to think of the government as a
tool for "conquering, taming and steering the people".

There are dissatisfactions, demonstrations and rebellions,
which, he said, come from the "nation's ills", such as
corruption, collusion between business people and corrupt
officials, the commercialization of authority and positions,
discrimination and arbitrary measures by officials.

"These ills of the nation should be gradually eliminated," he
said. "The PPP does not see any other way to advance this nation
except by creating a clean and respected government."

"Demonstrations of dissatisfaction are normal, as long they
are carried out in the spirit of akhlaqul karimah (Islamic code
of good conduct)," he said.

Ismail said that 1995 would become the "Year of PPP Action";
of a party committed to defending the truth and justice.

"The PPP will oppose any form of discrimination in any aspect
of life, so that all citizens will be equal, and the only thing
that will differentiate them from one another will be their
devotion towards and actions for the benefit of the people, the
nation, and the country," he said.

"The party cannot respect conglomerates if their wealth is
gained through negative collusion, pilfering, oppressing workers,
and if they only provide a small benefit for the country," he
said.

Ismail urged PPP members "not to distance themselves from the
people."

"Public demands are no longer limited to mere food and
clothing..they now demand freedom to promote their interests, or
freedom to play a role (in society) and to create something," he
said.

Ismail asked party members to defend the interests of the
members of the less privileged in society, like small traders,
people whose land is appropriated arbitrarily, victims of
injustices, and students. (swe)