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)