No strong grounds to riot during polls: Psychologist
A. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
A psychologist dismissed on Saturday the possibility of mass riots prior to, or during, the upcoming elections, saying that there were no strong grounds for violence.
Psychologist Sarlito Wirawan Sarwono said Indonesia was now economically and socially more advanced than during the 1999 elections.
"I'm sure there will be no mass violence. The current situation is much better than when we held the 1999 general election," Sarlito of the University of Indonesia said after hosting a discussion titled Prospect of Violence: Past, Present and Future.
He said the only possible source of violence would be from politicians who had failed to win legislative seats.
He also warned the media against repeatedly quoting certain state officials who had predicted possible bloodshed during the elections.
"Violence could indeed eventuate if the media constantly warns their readers of possible mass violence," he said after the discussion, which was organized by the Leiden University Alumni Union at Erasmus Huis here.
Last week, Indonesian Army chief of staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu warned of possible bloodshed during the elections and said that the Indonesian Military (TNI) would take actions to stop the violence.
His statement drew sharp criticism, as it was considered to be part of the military's effort to return to politics.
Since the fall of former president Soeharto in May 1998, Indonesia has been facing communal conflicts triggered by ethnic or religious issues. It is also believed these conflicts are instigated by those dissatisfied with the reform movement.
Indonesia will hold the legislative election on April 5 and the first direct presidential election on July 5, with its run- off on Sept. 20.
The General Elections Commission has declared 24 political parties eligible to contest the polls, when people will elect members of the House of Representatives (DPR), regional legislatures (DPRD) and the Regional Council (DPD).
Speaking in the discussion, historian Adrian Lapian suggested that violence could be avoided if people were willing to learn from history.
"(The) State could use many methods, including traditional ways to prevent violence," Lapian, who is also an emeritus professor at the University of Indonesia, told the discussion.
Meanwhile, anthropologist Patricia Spyer asked politicians to use peaceful campaign images, as happened in Maluku, where sectarian conflict claimed 6,000 lives between 1999 and 2001.
"Children were encouraged to visualize peace and the images were used during media promotions, including on the local television station. It seemed to work," Spyer from Leiden University, who had recently conducted a study on the peace process in the Maluku capita of Ambon, told the discussion.