Susilo says no to discrimination
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.