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)