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)