Soeharto warns of threat to national unity
Soeharto warns of threat to national unity
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto warned yesterday of any
disruptive conflicts which could tear down national unity.
Speaking at the commemoration of National Awakening Day at the
State Palace, Soeharto told the nation to be vigilant in
anticipating the disintegration of the nation caused by the
conflicts triggered by social and economic gaps, as well as
religious and ethnic sentiments.
He cited countries which had torn themselves apart and
disintegrated because they failed to strengthen their sense of
nationalism.
"We are a great nation with 200 million people, hundreds of
ethnic groups, tribes and languages, thousands of islands, and
various religions," said Soeharto.
"We are determined to respond to any challenges and to utilize
opportunities in the future, only if we succeed in mobilizing all
national assets," he said.
"By maintaining self-identity and ethnic culture, by honoring
respective religions, we jointly develop our nation," he said to
the audience, mostly made up of senior high school students and
veterans.
The ceremony was also attended by Vice President Try Sutrisno
and his wife, cabinet ministers, foreign envoys, Commander of the
Armed Forces Gen. Feisal Tanjung, and Army Chief of Staff Gen.
Hartono.
Jakarta Governor Surjadi Soedirdja in his report to the
President said that the ceremony was not held at the Jakarta
Convention Center as usual due to the "election campaign
atmosphere".
This year's National Awakening Day picked up the theme of
making the 1997 general election successful through a spirit of
unity and integrity. This was seen as a continuing process of the
national movement which began with the founding of Boedi Oetomo,
the first modern national organization, on May 20, 1908, when
Indonesia was still under Dutch colonial rule.
It marked the beginning of a nationalist struggle which
culminated into the Declaration of Independence of 1945.
Praise
In his speech, Soeharto praised the young generation for their
strong spirit of nationalism.
The head of state also used the occasion to appeal to all
voters to use their right to vote in the coming May 29 general
election.
"Using the right to vote is the manifestation of our
responsibility to preserve and enforce our sovereignty," he said.
Some eligible voters, mostly students, who are young and well-
educated people from big cities find it fashionable to join the
golput movement to abstain from the general election.
Some say they would not vote because none of the three
contestants accommodate their aspirations.
While acknowledging development shortcomings, President
Soeharto said that "the republic was designed, organized and
developed for a better future, the younger generation's future."
The majority of the 120 million voters are young people. Their
complaints over social and economic injustices, and unemployment
problems have often been heard during campaign rallies.
"They know development policies which have been based on
economic development have succeeded in improving people's welfare
and helped reduce poverty," Soeharto said.
United Development Party (PPP) chairman Ismail Hasan Metareum
lashed out last week at the widespread corruption in bureaucracy,
as well as weak law enforcement that has allowed corruption to
continue and hamper democratization.
National Awakening Day has always been used by government as
an occasion to reinvigorate people's nationalism.
"The strength of a nation lies in its courage to acknowledge
its shortcomings and bravery, and to make correction and
improvement," said the President. (06)
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto warned yesterday of any
disruptive conflicts which could tear down national unity.
Speaking at the commemoration of National Awakening Day at the
State Palace, Soeharto told the nation to be vigilant in
anticipating the disintegration of the nation caused by the
conflicts triggered by social and economic gaps, as well as
religious and ethnic sentiments.
He cited countries which had torn themselves apart and
disintegrated because they failed to strengthen their sense of
nationalism.
"We are a great nation with 200 million people, hundreds of
ethnic groups, tribes and languages, thousands of islands, and
various religions," said Soeharto.
"We are determined to respond to any challenges and to utilize
opportunities in the future, only if we succeed in mobilizing all
national assets," he said.
"By maintaining self-identity and ethnic culture, by honoring
respective religions, we jointly develop our nation," he said to
the audience, mostly made up of senior high school students and
veterans.
The ceremony was also attended by Vice President Try Sutrisno
and his wife, cabinet ministers, foreign envoys, Commander of the
Armed Forces Gen. Feisal Tanjung, and Army Chief of Staff Gen.
Hartono.
Jakarta Governor Surjadi Soedirdja in his report to the
President said that the ceremony was not held at the Jakarta
Convention Center as usual due to the "election campaign
atmosphere".
This year's National Awakening Day picked up the theme of
making the 1997 general election successful through a spirit of
unity and integrity. This was seen as a continuing process of the
national movement which began with the founding of Boedi Oetomo,
the first modern national organization, on May 20, 1908, when
Indonesia was still under Dutch colonial rule.
It marked the beginning of a nationalist struggle which
culminated into the Declaration of Independence of 1945.
Praise
In his speech, Soeharto praised the young generation for their
strong spirit of nationalism.
The head of state also used the occasion to appeal to all
voters to use their right to vote in the coming May 29 general
election.
"Using the right to vote is the manifestation of our
responsibility to preserve and enforce our sovereignty," he said.
Some eligible voters, mostly students, who are young and well-
educated people from big cities find it fashionable to join the
golput movement to abstain from the general election.
Some say they would not vote because none of the three
contestants accommodate their aspirations.
While acknowledging development shortcomings, President
Soeharto said that "the republic was designed, organized and
developed for a better future, the younger generation's future."
The majority of the 120 million voters are young people. Their
complaints over social and economic injustices, and unemployment
problems have often been heard during campaign rallies.
"They know development policies which have been based on
economic development have succeeded in improving people's welfare
and helped reduce poverty," Soeharto said.
United Development Party (PPP) chairman Ismail Hasan Metareum
lashed out last week at the widespread corruption in bureaucracy,
as well as weak law enforcement that has allowed corruption to
continue and hamper democratization.
National Awakening Day has always been used by government as
an occasion to reinvigorate people's nationalism.
"The strength of a nation lies in its courage to acknowledge
its shortcomings and bravery, and to make correction and
improvement," said the President. (06)