President worried about press freedom

JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie expressed his concern over what he believed was abuse of press freedom on Tuesday, which he said had reached an alarming level.

He acknowledged the rapid growth of both the international and local media, the latter as the result of greater freedom obtained through the reform movement, before going on to cite that exaggerated and imbalanced news reports could cause confusion and public unrest.

"We believe that press freedom is an important component of a democracy. However, behind the freedom, the press is developing worrisome behavior," the President said when he unveiled the 1999/2000 draft state budget in a House of Representatives plenary session here on Tuesday.

The President reminded the media of its responsibility to preserve national unity, which he said was important in the context of building a modern civil society.

To establish a civil society, rational, objective and accurate information is needed, he said. "Press freedom is necessary to provide objective, fair, balanced and accountable news."

He pleaded for media employees to act professionally and to consider what constituted violations of the press code of ethics.

Habibie also expressed deep concern over increasing demonstrations, riots and public ignorance of the law because of the prolonged economic crisis.

He criticized certain parties for being impatient of the program of gradual reform that the government has launched and for using demonstrations to try to force more rapid change upon society.

"In certain situations, demonstration may be an effective way to bring about change, but in other circumstances it may be counterproductive," he said, pointing out that uncontrolled mobilization of the masses could lead to rioting.

"A riot accompanied by violence and looting is a manifestation of unhealthy political participation. It is anarchy, not democracy," he said.

He called on the public to abide by the law on freedom of expression, saying that it not only regulated how people should express their opinions but also protected individual rights.

"In a plural society, individual rights should be respected," he said.

Habibie also spoke of the importance of law enforcement and the necessity of firm action to handle riots, violence and anarchy in order to create a safe and just society for the law- abiding public. The President then went on to use this argument to justify the recent establishment of the Council for Enforcement of Security and Law (DPKSH).

He also said the planned establishment of a 40,000-member civilian militia should be understood in the context of the shortage of police personnel. Currently, the ratio between the population and the police force was 1,100 people to every one policeman, he said.

"The ideal ratio is 1:750. We still need 70,000 more police personnel to enable the National Police to carry out its duties at an optimal level," he said.

Despite objections, the government plans go ahead with its plan to set up the militia, Habibie said.

In another part of his speech, Habibie emphasized the importance of the June 7 general election in the process of reconstructing and rehabilitating the nation.

"Through the general election, we will have a legitimate and credible People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), House (DPR), provincial and regency legislatures (DPRD I and DPRD II), and government," he said.

The general election should therefore run in a free, fair and transparent manner, he said. The polls should be monitored by the government, political parties, non-governmental organizations, universities, youth groups and other mass organizations, he added. (rms)