Susilo says no to discrimination

Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Presidential candidate Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has pledged to promote pluralism among religions and ethnic groups here and to revoke all discriminatory regulations and policies.

Speaking to the local and foreign press as well as academics at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel here on Tuesday, Susilo said he would revoke all discriminatory regulations and policies in his first 100 days in office.

"I want to convince you and all the people that all religious and ethnic communities have their own rights to exist because the pluralism of religions is a fact; and there will be no conflicts as long as all sides promote dialog, religious tolerance and are wise to avoid miscommunication and misperceptions among communities," he said.

He added that his running mate Jusuf Kalla and all those who would be in "his government boat" would only be considered if they also respected such pluralism.

Susilo explained that despite the Muslim community's majority, all religious communities had the right to be recognized and his government would encourage all communities to promote dialog and tolerance to avoid conflict.

"All religious and ethnic groups have a right to exist. The government has to also encourage them (people from different religions) to develop their own religious values in their own communities," he said.

He promised to be the president for all people in the country, not only that of his supporters, should he win on Sept. 20.

Susilo added that all religious communities would be encouraged to promote solidarity and tolerance, and their leaders would be encouraged to work hand-in-hand with the government to solve problems in society.

He acknowledged that the Muslim majority would naturally get more attention because it represented 85 percent of the country, but he vowed not to let any policy negate other minorities' rights or make them feel marginalized. He said he wants everyone to feel that their voice would be heard if changes are needed.

He chose not to comment on the sensitive and divisive issue of sharia (strict Islamic) law.

Susilo, nominated by the Democratic Party, has also won political support from the Crescent Star Party (PBB) and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS). Those two Islamic-oriented parties favor sharia for the nation's Muslims.

During the meeting, Melly G. Tan, a sociologist from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), asked Susilo to respond to the rampant discrimination against some ethnic and religious minorities as well as women, who comprise more than 51 percent of the electorate. Meanwhile, Ulil Abshar Abdhalah, a young intellectual from the nation's largest Muslim organization Nadhlatul Ulama, asked about Susilo's programs for Muslims, as they were the majority.