Soeharto warns societal issues could spark unrest

Soeharto warns societal issues could spark unrest

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto warned the nation yesterday
that religious, ethnic and societal issues were volatile subjects
that could easily spark social unrest in times of severe economic
crisis.

Speaking to Protestant leaders, the President said he expected
all religious leaders to jointly defuse the threat and prioritize
efforts to promote the nation's unity and integrity.

"He advised us as the representatives of Christians to remain
vigilant against anything which could trigger SARA problems," the
chairman of the Indonesian Communion of Churches, Soelarso
Soepater, said after meeting with Soeharto at his Jl. Cendana
residence in Central Jakarta.

SARA stands for Suku (tribal affiliations), Agama (religion),
Ras (race), and Antar golongan (societal group).

The government has tirelessly campaigned for harmonious
relations between different religions and societal groups. The
Constitution also guarantees freedom of religion.

But tension arising from these issues remains a continued
source of social discord in a country made up of hundreds of
ethnic groups.

Islam is the majority religion here; Moslems comprise 88
percent of the population. Christians make up about 8 percent,
Hindus and Buddhists comprise 2 percent and 0.9 percent
respectively.

Observers have expressed fears that in the current economic
turmoil, with millions of Indonesians expected to lose their
jobs, could be a trigger for widespread social unrest.

"Our nation may face a great difficulty and the nation's unity
could be destroyed if it is neglected," Soelarso quoted the
President as saying.

During the meeting Soelarso was accompanied by Minister of
Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher, the chairman of the Indonesian
Baptist Church Community, Sentot, and the chairman of the
Indonesian Pentecostal Church Council, Samuel Budi, and other
church leaders.

To demonstrate their support for the cash-strapped government,
the church leaders presented two kilograms of gold and about Rp
5.1 million (US$510) to the President.

Soelarso said the donation was collected from worshipers
across the country. He also informed Soeharto that Protestant
churches had said a special prayer for Soeharto's health and the
nation's welfare.

"We told the President that in such a difficult situation like
this, there are no differences between religions as we face the
same problems," Soelarso said. (prb)