Suspicions grow as election nears
Suspicions grow as election nears
JAKARTA (JP): Certain groups with the potential to obstruct
the 1997 general elections have to be watched, senior officials
said yesterday.
Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. called on ministry
officials across the country, in their capacity as "patrons of
political development", to beware of "certain social political
organizations and their maneuvers".
"Anticipate various problems that might arise in connection
with the coming elections," he was quoted by Antara as saying
when opening a meeting of Indonesia's 27 governors yesterday.
He did not identify the groups, but suggested that the
governors deal with their maneuvers "in accordance with the law".
Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security
Soesilo Soedarman was more direct.
At an Association of Indonesian Labor Exporters congress
yesterday, Soesilo named workers, students and the press as
"three areas that have to be watched and handled, especially in
the run-up to the 1997 general elections".
"It's from these areas that problems could arise, ones that
could adversely affect the elections," Soesilo said.
He said that the problems that cause unrest among workers must
be handled so they aren't exploited and turned into political
issues that can be used to attack the government.
At least one group in society believes it has come under the
suspicion of the government.
K.H. Sahal Mahfudz, an Indonesian Council of Ulemas leader,
said that the authorities in many regions have begun to treat
religious leaders with suspicion.
The respected ulema said yesterday in Semarang, Central Java,
that such apprehension is unnecessary as most ulemas keep their
distance from political issues.
"They teach purely religious matters, they don't bring their
political aspirations to the public," he said. "They are not
speaking for the PPP, PDI or Golkar".
The three political groups that will contest the elections are
the United Development Party (PPP), the Indonesian Democratic
Party (PDI) and the ruling Golkar.
Sahal said the suspicion originated with security figures, who
misunderstand religious leaders. "If there are ulemas who give
political speeches, then they are no longer ulemas, they are
politicians," he said.
Political observer Susilo Utomo at Diponegoro University in
Semarang said the government's suspicion of ulemas is
understandable.
"There are ulemas who like to speak about politics and even
come out in support of certain political parties, especially the
PDI," he said.
"However, I'm sure that if the kyai (religious leaders) give
political speeches in support of Golkar, then they would be okay
and the authorities wouldn't be suspicious of them," Susilo said.
(har/swe/rms)