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)