Religious leaders join force for reform

JAKARTA (JP): Religious leaders in Yogyakarta and Surabaya, East Java, urged the government to meet demands for political and economic reform, warning that public patience was boiling over.

A number of religious leaders from the Religious Leaders Communications Forum (FKUB) in Yogyakarta, warned the government that the incessant students rallies demonstrated that the people's patience had reached its climax.

"We demand that the government stop its repressive actions against the students," Abdul Muhaimin, who represented local Islamic ulemas at a joint meeting with religious leaders of other religions in Yogyakarta yesterday, said.

I Nyoman Sudarsana, representing Hindu ulema, said the government had no other alternative but to launch total political reform to get the nation out of the crisis.

He also said that the government had to give protection for all citizens, including student activists who were involved in the campus rallies.

"We regret immoral actions the government has taken in handling students rallies and protests, while most people who are facing economic hardship because of the prolonged economic crisis still fear further abductions," he said.

The religious leaders also said in their joint statement that the government had to find activists who were still missing and return them safely to their families.

Also attending the meeting were Rev. Bambang S. of the Protestant Church and Rev. Suyatno of the Catholic Church.

Separately, some religious leaders in Surabaya also called on the people to give their support to the student movement.

They said in a joint statement that the proreform movement should win support from all groups in all layers of the society.

Rev. Sandyawan of the Catholic Church said that leaders of all religions in the province should take concrete action by persuading their congregation to fully support the students.

Mustofi Bisir, representing Moslem ulema in the city, called on all government officials who have committed many sins, to convert and ask Allah's mercy for their sinful deeds.

Gedeng Bagus Oka representing Hindu priests expressed his deep concern over the inadequate performance of the 32-year-old New Order government.

On Monday, more than 250 Islamic ulemas assembled in the city and decided to send a special delegation to meet President Soeharto to eradicate the allegedly rampant corruption, collusion and nepotism. (nur/23/rms)