Soeharto pleads for stability
Soeharto pleads for stability
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto left on a one-week foreign
trip yesterday, but not before pleading to the nation, which is
engulfed in a deep crisis, to preserve political stability.
"I have confidence in the people. I'm leaving the country
calm, hopeful that political and national stability can be
maintained," Soeharto said shortly before boarding his plane for
Cairo to attend the Group of 15 summit which will be followed by
a state visit to Egypt.
"In my absence I hope everything goes well, especially the
work on reforms. (But) we must not let demands for reform destroy
everything that we have achieved through development," he said
from the VIP lounge of Halim Perdana Kusumah airport.
"I plead for the people's understanding. I understand their
suffering because I come from a poor family," he said.
His departure comes in the wake of massive, nationwide
demonstrations led by students calling for political and economic
reform.
The protests have been calling for greater political freedom,
a cabinet reshuffle, lower prices, and a change in the national
leadership through an emergency session of the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR).
Soeharto's briefing of the media before departing on a foreign
trip marked a break with tradition. In the past, the President
has always briefed journalists on the flight home from overseas
visits.
Soeharto used the occasion to address various issues that have
surfaced in recent weeks, from national stability, demands for
reform and cabinet reshuffle, hikes in fuel and electricity
prices, and the media coverage of these events.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining stability at a
time when the country was trying to lift itself out of the
economic crisis.
"We need peace and comfort," he said.
"I trust that the people will put the interest of the country
and nation ahead of their individual interests," he said.
"Everyone must be willing to sacrifice their interests to meet
the higher calling: the interests of the nation and the country.
"If we forget the importance of political stability and
national stability, our efforts to solve the crisis will be
undermined."
He said the country was faced with two choices, to continue
with development until the goal of a just and prosperous nation
was achieved, or return to the situation of 30 years ago and lose
the fruits of development over the last three decades.
Soeharto, who is also Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
(ABRI), warned that the military would take firm action against
those who violated the law.
It was ABRIs constitutional calling to take firm action to
ensure the safety of the nation and the country, he said.
The President said he endorsed the reform initiatives taken by
the House of Representatives, and added that Indonesia has been
reforming since independence was achieved in 1945.
Soeharto said that while the House was reviewing the political
laws he, as the elected President, was obliged to carry out his
mandate and implement the 1998/2003 State Policy Guidelines.
The Guidelines, he said, were full with intent to reform.
Anybody who reads through the document would find the word
"renewal" used repeatedly, and this, he claimed, was similar to
"reform", a popular jargonistic addition to everyday speech.
Soeharto said that selecting members of the cabinet was his
prerogative. "I chose those whom I considered best for the job
and met the selection criteria. There are shortcomings, but for
now, I feel they are capable of helping me with my Presidential
responsibilities."
Soeharto defended his decision to raise fuel and electricity
prices last week, stressing that the government had taken various
measures to cushion the blow dealt to the poor.
He cited the decision to increase the price paid to farmers
for unhusked rice and the unexpected 15 percent increase in civil
servant salaries.
Besides, farmers were now enjoying the fruits of the harvest
season, he added.
House Commission V on Energy rejected the increases on Friday
and called on the government to revoke the presidential decrees
that led to move being taken.
Commission members, during a hearing with Minister of Mines
and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, said the increases were ill-
timed.
They also argued that the Rp 16 trillion fuel subsidy which
the government hoped to phase out by raising prices was
insignificant in comparison to the Rp 107 trillion the government
used to bail out troubled banks earlier this year.
Soeharto refuted this comparison, saying: "It is wrong and is
misleading to the people."
Money used to bail out banks was not disbursed as a subsidy.
Assistance was given in the form of loans in order to protect
depositors, he said. "Banks which received money will have to pay
it back."
The President criticized the media for confusing people with
their coverage.
"So far, I have only seen the media using their freedom but
neglecting their responsibilities.
"Now I ask you all to carry out your duty and help calm the
situation," he said.
"Let's all work together and give our best to the nation and
the country," Soeharto said. (prb/emb)