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)