Soeharto warns the public of communist remnants

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto told Indonesians yesterday to maintain their vigilance against remnants of the outlawed Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) which were lurking in the dark.

"When there is an opportunity, they will try to create unrest even among religious people," Maj. Gen. (ret) Putu Soekreta Soeranta quoted Soeharto as saying.

Soeranta visited Soeharto to report on preparations for a ceremony in Metro, Central Lampung, for the Hindu Day of Silence (Nyepi) on April 9.

Soeranta was accompanied by Ida Pendanda Gede Telaga, who is the chief of the ceremony's organizing committee, Rear. Adm. I Nyoman Mastra and Ida Bagus Putu Sarga who are committee members.

Antara reported that Soeharto had asked people to remain alert while dealing with so-called sensitive religious issues.

Soeharto said the recent riots across Indonesia were sparked by "irresponsible" groups who wished to frighten away foreign investment.

"But despite the riots, foreign investment has continued to pour in," Soeharto said.

Among the incidents the Soeharto was referring to were the riots in Situbondo in East Java, Tasikmalaya in West Java and several in East Timor. Many houses of worship have been attacked and people have died.

Metro was chosen for the celebration because of its large Hindu population, which mainly came from Bali: the country's only predominantly-Hindu province.

The ceremony will be in a stadium that can hold up to 1,000 people, although more people are expected.

Soeranta said the celebration series would start Apr. 7 with a Melasti cleansing ritual, in which people cleanse sacred objects. On Apr. 8, the Hindus would hold a Tawur Kesanga to slaughter cattle as a sacrifice to the gods. This ritual was meant to maintain universal balance.

Soeranta said that on Nyepi day, Hindus would observe several rituals including the Tapa Brata or Yoga Semedi fast.

Pati Geni is part of the celebrations, which means that Hindus must not travel, light fires or enjoy themselves for a day, "because on that day the moon does not shine and it is the darkest night when the sun, earth and moon are almost in line with the equator."

"If you went to Bali on that day, you would find the island in the dark," he said.

After Nyepi, Hindus observe Darma Canti on Apr. 12 which means charity and more social activities as a way to thank the gods.

Nyepi this year falls in the 1919 Caka year, according to the Hindu calendar. (05)