Rights body calls for just and fair election
Rights body calls for just and fair election
JAKARTA (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights urged
the three parties and the government yesterday to stop "unjust
and unfair practices" and assure a fair election.
"The public has every right to demand a fair election.
Therefore unjust and unfair practices should be stopped so that
people can accept the poll results," the commission said in a
statement signed by chairman Munawir Sjadzali and secretary-
general Baharuddin Lopa.
The commission made it clear that to vote or not to vote was
every citizen's right.
It also said it was deeply concerned about the violence that
had claimed many lives and caused extensive damage to public and
private property.
Meanwhile, a cabinet minister said the violence was caused by
people's inability to perceive differences of opinion as healthy
in a democracy.
State Minister of Public Housing Akbar Tandjung said the
public considered people with opposing political views as
enemies.
The minister cited poor education and political awareness as
the main obstacle to democratization. The uneducated were easily
provoked, he said.
"Unlike in countries where people are well-educated,
differences of opinion in Indonesia are considered negative,"
Akbar said.
Mob violence blotted the April 27 to May 23 campaign in many
parts of the country. Most clashes involved Golkar and United
Development Party (PPP) supporters.
Sometimes fighting began just because bystanders had refused
to give supporters their party's finger sign.
The worst riot broke out in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on
the last day of campaigning on May 23. It claimed 123 lives and
caused extensive damaged.
The riot broke out when supporters of the PPP and Golkar
started fighting because Golkar supporters had begun their
rallies before the Moslems had finished their Friday prayer.
Akbar acknowledged that people's frustration over
socioeconomic disparity, including unemployment, had increased
the tension.
"Many people, including the youngsters, feel they have not
received equal treatment and opportunities from the government,"
he said.
Akbar said he based his assumptions on his observations of
Golkar's campaign in several provinces.
He said community frustration was exploited by irresponsible
groups who wanted to sabotage the government's development
programs.
Analysts have said the campaign period allowed people to let
off steam amid a rigid political system, and that the campaign
was a good time for them to air their grievances and
frustrations.
"We must continue improving the quality of our political
education," said Akbar, who was a former state minister of youth
and sports affairs.
Akbar, a former student activist, urged other government
officials and the public to beware of attempts to destabilize the
nation.
"All of us must reflect on what has happened during the
campaign, and then find ways to prevent the incidents recurring
in future," Akbar said. (06/pan)