RI ponders prayer to end crisis

RI ponders prayer to end crisis

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian officials are pondering a new
approach to deal with the monetary crisis: prayer.

Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher said he would
consult with President Soeharto on a proposal to hold a national
prayer to ask for divine intervention in helping the country out
of its current monetary woes.

"I think the proposal from the executive daily working
committee of the Maluku Protestant Church Synod will be specially
consulted with the President," said Tarmizi in Ambon, Maluku
Thursday.

The head of the Maluku Protestant Church Synod, priest Sammy
Titaley, earlier suggested that the government hold a special
nationwide prayer to ask the All Mighty's help in the monetary
crisis.

Titaley said such a national prayer would be in the right
momentum as the nation prepares to hold the plenary session of
the People's Consultative Assembly.

"Religion will become the savior of Indonesia in the face of
various future challenges. Issues of materialism and hedonism,
the root of various problems, will be overcome by the strength of
faith in religion," Tarmizi said as quoted by Antara.

The rupiah has plunged to historic lows against the U.S.
dollar in the past few months causing havoc to the economy. (mds)