Religious leaders pledge to support government

JAKARTA (JP): Christian and Moslem leaders have expressed concern over the deepening economic crisis and pledged to support the government's efforts to end it.

The Communion of Churches in Indonesia said it would be "very irresponsible" for the government to work alone to end the turmoil.

"It would be very unchristian," said the statement signed by communion chief Sularso Sopater and secretary J.M. Pattiasina.

Christians constitute only about 10 percent of the predominantly Moslem Indonesia but they form vibrant communities across the country.

Moslems make up about 90 percent of the country's 202 million population, according to official figures.

The communion called on Christians to set aside their individual or group interests in times of national crisis.

On Monday night, 30 Moslem organizations also expressed concern over the deepening economic crisis and vowed to back the government.

Spearheaded by the Indonesian Ulemas Council, the organizations pledged to unite and work shoulder to shoulder with the government and the Armed Forces.

In a joint statement signed by council chief Hasan Basri and secretary Nazri Adani, the Moslem leaders said they would mobilize support for the government to normalize the economy and handle problems arising from the crisis.

The Christian and Moslem leaders specifically affirmed their support for the economic reforms the government is implementing to regain trust in the administration.

The Moslem leaders urged the government to continue taking concrete steps to economically empower the masses.

The communion of churches said, "We hope the fundamental changes in social, economic, political and cultural policies will result in better public trust (of the government)."

It warned improvements would be hard to come by if the nation always sought scapegoats in periods of hardship.

"The nation should not hesitate to admit that Indonesia is currently in big trouble... We don't have to be ashamed to acknowledge we are moving backward.

"But it's better than if we force ourselves to move forward but then stumble and fall in exhaustion. Now is time for the nation to introspect," the statement said. (pan)