Soeharto warns people against divisive rumors

Soeharto warns people against divisive rumors

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has warned Indonesia to guard
against rumors which could spark unrest and threaten national
unity.

"I always call on people and religious communities to control
themselves when hearing rumors which could divide the unity of
our nation," Soeharto said Saturday when he addressed the Hindu
Day of Silence, known as Nyepi, and the Caka 1919 new year
celebrations in Lampung, southern Sumatra.

Soeharto said the rumors had been "spread on purpose to incite
suspicion among us." He also said Indonesia's ongoing development
needed national stability.

"Development can proceed smoothly only when the community
lives in a peaceful and orderly situation, free from upheavals
and unrest," he told 10,000 Hindus in a stadium in the Tejosari
village, Metro, Central Lampung, approximately 60 kilometers
north of the capital city of Bandar Lampung.

Soeharto did not refer to any particular case but over the
past year, Indonesia has been jolted by various political, ethnic
and sectarian unrest.

The most recent case was the politically motivated riots in
Central Java. Supporters of the Moslem-led United Development
Party (PPP) and the dominant Golkar political grouping have
clashed in at least five towns in the densely populated province
over the last three weeks, leaving a trail of injured people and
destruction.

In the latest violence on Wednesday last week, at least 12
people were injured in clashes between supporters of the two
parties in Wonosobo, PPP executives there said.

Central Java police have questioned a popular ulema, Afifudin
Musytari, who has been accused of inciting unrest in the
province's town of Pekalongan. According to police, he may be
arrested on charges of allegedly inciting unrest and "insulting a
certain segment of society".

The country's three official political parties -- Golkar, PPP
and the Indonesian Democracy Party -- are vying for 425 House of
Representatives seats in the May 29 general election.

On Saturday, Soeharto also reminded the country of its
plurality. He reaffirmed that the government protects the
existence of different beliefs here, as is stipulated in the 1945
Constitution.

"The freedom to embrace a religion originates from God. It is
not a gift from the government or a group," Soeharto said.

Accompanied by Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher and
Lampung Governor Pudjono Pranoto, Soeharto further pointed out
that forcing people to embrace a certain religion will only lead
to social unrest.

"Our nation, with strong religious values, upholds the
principle of religious freedom. Any body or group should truly
respect the adherents of other religions and allow them to
perform their religious worship," Soeharto said.

This year's Day of Silence was celebrated in Lampung, whose
population is mainly made up of Moslems. Soeharto cited this fact
as an example of the people's great religious tolerance.

"Non-Hindu people in Lampung have shown they sincerely respect
Hindu people," he said.

Election

In his speech, Minister Tarmizi Taher called on Indonesian
Hindus to apply their principle of loyalty toward the state,
known as Dharma Negara, by helping to ensure that the May 29
general election is a success.

"The Hindus must never forget that the election and the
general assembly of People Consultative's Assembly, which are
part of the five-year leadership cycle, are their right (to
exercise)," Tarmizi said, reported Antara.

Hindus make up 2 percent of Indonesia's population of 200
million people. Most live in Bali. (swe)