Spirit of deliberation lost?

Spirit of deliberation lost?

From Rakyat Merdeka

The debate surrounding former president Soeharto has heated up in the capital, particularly since the South Jakarta District Court officially dismissed all charges against Soeharto. Clashes people the former president's supporters and opponents were unavoidable, claiming some victims.

As a Muslim, I am sad to hear and see groups of demonstrators using the name of Islam, or claiming to be doing things for and on behalf of Islam. I am taking this opportunity to warn them that they are facing university student groups whose members are mostly Muslim as well. Do they not realize that they could have been manipulated into facing off against fellow Muslims, thus dividing them all?

Furthermore, it surprises me that the police seem to regard the students and those anti-Soeharto groups as their enemies. In my opinion, the police alone are enough to safeguard Soeharto's family. No other security personnel, particularly civilians, are required.

Finally, I would like to appeal to the police and the students to work together to create a peaceful atmosphere in Jakarta. Or have you all lost the ability to discuss and deliberate to reach a consensus?

H. SOEJOEDONO R.

Jakarta