Politicians urged to practice self-restraint

Politicians urged to practice self-restraint

JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives' Special Committee
on national harmony urged all members of the political elite on
Tuesday to practice self-restraint as their behavior and remarks
could trigger upheaval and disintegration in the country.

"All members of the political elite should understand that the
survival of the country largely depends on the behavior and
attitude of the political leaders," the committee's chairman
Willem Tutuarima from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
(PDI Perjuangan) said in a plenary session.

The committee further recommended that all politicians should
not use politics simply to fulfill their own interests but to
uphold democracy to keeping with national interests and the unity
of the country.

"The leaders should lessen the politicization of issues of
ethnicity, race and religion that could lead to conflict among
the people," Willem said in the session led by House Deputy
Speaker Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno.

In the plenary session the committee submitted their
conclusions and recommendations on how to handle the
disintegration threats faced by the country, after months of
investigation in the strife-torn areas across Indonesia.

The committee was established in October last year. It's
mandate is to discuss, identify and listen to the people's
aspirations and demands in the riot-torn areas such as Aceh,
Maluku, Irian Jaya, and Central Kalimantan.

The committee also provides recommendations to all House
members, the President and all community groups in handling the
threat of national disintegration.

"We urge the President to create a conducive condition in the
country and to stop making statements that aggravate the
situation. He should also fulfill all promises he has made to the
(strife-torn) areas," Willem further said in the session.

The committee also urged the President to consider drafting a
national harmony bill that will give room for traditional culture
and characteristics to develop as the basis of national unity.

"We also urged all local and religious leaders to maintain
peace in a bid to prevent conflicts among the people that could
lead to national disintegration," Willem further said.

In the session, the House agreed that the recommendation
should be the foundation for the government in dealing with the
current security situation in the country. (dja)