Sarwono warns of divisive political cliques
CIREBON, West Java (JP): State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said here yesterday that some political groups would risk national unity to achieve their agendas.
Sarwono, a former Golkar secretary-general, said some ambitious people had formed cliques to fight for power.
They would not hesitate to politicize religion and set groups against each other, he said.
He believed the rising incidence of mob violence during the campaign was caused by these political groups.
"People must realize that the violence during political parties' campaigns isn't necessarily triggered by party supporters," he said.
Sarwono's remarks come amid growing tension ahead of the May 29 general election to elect 425 members of the House of Representatives.
Observers believe the political tension will not dissipate until after the presidential election scheduled for March.
When asked to name the political groups, he said: "Just beware of their moves."
He said the groups included people from the military, bureaucracy, business.
"It's easy to provoke mob violence during a massive street rally, and they (the groups) know that. One could simply pay thugs to wear the campaigning party's attire and ask them to incite the masses," he said.
Sarwono said the groups would publicize their agendas after people were disoriented by the chaos they had caused.
Sarwono said he was astounded by President Soeharto's call Wednesday to revitalize nationalism.
"We should now start to function as a nation again, no matter what your colors are. Be it green, yellow, red, or Mega-bintang," Sarwono said.
The colors represent the United Development Party (PPP), Golkar and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) respectively. Mega-bintang is an emerging alliance of the PPP and supporters of the ousted PDI leader Megawati Soekarnoputri.
Sarwono was speaking after hosting a talk show-like gathering for Golkar at the Gratia Convention Hall.
Enggartiasto Lukito, a businessman and legislative candidate, promised the Golkar audience that he would open the doors of his office for "consultations on business partnership schemes".
Meanwhile, in Jakarta, tens of thousands of supporters flocked to Golkar rallies.
Government officials in South Jakarta said campaigning there had proceeded smoothly but with "minor" incidents, mostly the removal of banners by other parties' supporters and the presence of many minors at the rallies.
Golkar's rallies featured former Jakarta governor Tjokropranolo, Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anas and other prominent people.
The Golkar rally in Pejompongan, Central Jakarta, consisted mainly of dangdut and pop music and comedy performances by singers Titiek Hamzah and Deddy Dhukun and comedians Iskak and Ateng.
In Yogyakarta, campaigner Soesilo Soedarman told thousands of supporters in the Kridosono sports stadium that Golkar would seek to eradicate poverty by 2004. (aan/har/01/pwn/23)