Security is under control, says Armed Forces
JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) said yesterday that security remained firmly under control as Indonesia prepares to complete the last stages of the election.
ABRI chief spokesman Brig. Gen. Slamet Supriadi attributed this to the support and participation of the people, particularly the three political organizations which contested the May 29 election.
Supriadi praised the role played by public and religious leaders, scholars and the media in calming the situation and strengthening national unity and stability.
"For this, the ABRI leadership expresses its gratitude to all the people of Indonesia, especially the political organizations and the domestic media," he said at a media briefing at ABRI's Jl. Merdeka Barat headquarters.
"Let's maintain and strengthen our cooperation until next year's meeting of the People's Consultative Assembly," he said.
On the role of the media, Supriadi described their coverage as "responsible, proportional, balanced and impartial".
"For this, we thank you. This comes from the bottom of our hearts," he said.
On Thursday, Lt. Gen. Mutojib, the chief of the State Intelligence Coordinating Board (Bakin) also gave the "thumbs up" to domestic media coverage of the election.
Describing the tension in the run-up to the May 29 election and the period immediately after as signs of dynamic political development, Supriadi said yesterday that the chief task now was to lessen the political temperature so that the remaining stages of the election process could be completed.
The General Elections Institute is still counting votes. Next comes the formal endorsement of the results by the three contestants on June 17, and the swearing in of the new members of the House of Representatives and the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in October.
The MPR is slated to hold its general session in March to elect a president and vice president and draw up policy guidelines for the next five years.
When asked to comment on the Indonesian Democratic Party's threat of boycotting the remaining stages in protest of alleged election rigging, Supriadi said: "Since it hasn't happened, I can't comment on it."
He urged everyone to "strengthen unity, get rid of mutual suspicions, and uphold the culture of Pancasila democracy".
"Let's resolve problems and conflicts by deliberation and consensus, based on the constitution and laws.
"I appeal to the people, and the political organizations to stay on the alert against attempts by certain parties bent on foiling the election and the MPR meeting or on sowing seeds of division," he said.
Anyone who received suspicious phone calls or fliers should immediately report to the Alert Command Post set up in respective districts or call the toll-free number 122, or contact their nearest police station, he said. (emb)