Tolerance vital to maintaining unity: Soeharto

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto underlined yesterday the importance of tolerance, brotherhood and mutual cooperation among Indonesians in a bid to help maintain national unity.

Solid unity among Indonesians is needed because, as a pluralistic nation, Indonesia consists of people of different religions and races, he said in his address at a grand religious presentation organized by the Indonesian contact board of the Majelis Taklim members, a Moslem study group usually referred to as a female group, at Senayan Stadium in Central Jakarta.

The presentation, attended by more than 150,000 Majelis Taklim members from Greater Jakarta, West Java, Sumatra and Sulawesi, is one of a series of grand parties held over the last few days to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Indonesia's independence.

"For us, plurality is not a problem. It even leads us to be more open, mature and dynamic," the President said.

"We accept the plurality as God's blessing. Do not make the differences among us wider, so that plurality may seem like the rainbow's colors in the sky," he said.

Other high-ranking guests at the party included First Lady Tien Soeharto, Vice-President and Mrs. Try Sutrisno, Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono, Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher and Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie and Jakarta Governor Surjadi Soedirdja.

The party was opened by Moerdiono in his capacity as the chairman of the national committee of the 50th Indonesian Independence Day celebrations, who beat a big mosque drum to signal the start of the event.

Following Moerdiono's lead, 24 drummers began beating drums. Spontaneous applause broke out among the participants who cheered the opening of the grand religious presentation.

Four youths displayed pencak silat, a traditional form of self-defense, on a stage before the podium where the high officials were seated. Balloons were released into the air.

The drum performance was followed by marching music played by a band, with cheerful songs taken from different provinces of Indonesia, such as North Sumatra, South Kalimantan and Maluku.

About 3,000 pupils from Islamic schools wearing colorful uniforms marched to the music.

The joyful situation turned solemn when two women started reciting verses from the Koran together.

All participants kept silent except for the peddlers of refreshments.

Chairwoman of the Majelis Taklim Contact Board Tutty Alawiyah opened her speech with a prayer, repeated by those attending.

According to Tutty, the Majelis Taklim Contact Board performs other religious duties. Other regular activities of the board include granting scholarships to orphaned children and assisting poor people.

The presentation continued with the forming of configurations by 4,000 female participants wearing white Moslem dresses embellished with red and yellow shawls.

In a separate performance, 2,000 female and 500 male students of Islamic schools shaped different configurations accompanied by songs.

The presentation was closed with a speech by Minister of Research and Technology Habibie, who spoke about the importance of faith, supported by a knowledge of technology, among Indonesian Moslems.

Satisfaction

As President Soeharto left, the two-hour presentation most of the participants also left, although the event was not finished. Outside the stadium where the event was held most participants kept busy with shopping since a number of street vendors had set up makeshift stalls offering wares ranging from Moslem religious trappings, such as rosaries and praying mats, to apparel and refreshments.

Most of the participants, however, were satisfied with the grand presentation.

"It was great. I liked the whole program," said Titin, a woman from Bekasi. She said she had paid Rp 15,000 including Rp 2,500 for the ticket to attend the presentation.

The same opinion was expressed by a participant from Bogor, who added that she enjoyed the performance though she could not get a seat.

"I sat on the stadium stairs," she said.

Many participants did not get seats since the Senayan stadium could accommodate only 100,000 people at the most.

Most of those who were less fortunate had to sit on the stairs while others kept standing throughout the presentation.

A participant from Jakarta fainted and was treated by paramedics in a specially equipped van provided for emergencies outside the stadium.

Another participant from Bandung was exited about the grand presentation. "I am very happy because it was so festive. In addition, I could see many government officials here, particularly the President and Vice-President," Supiah said.

An old lady from Cibinong said she enjoyed the presentation although she had to climb many stairs to get to her seat.

"I had to go up many stairs to get to the seat. I was late. When I came here the seats that were left were located high up," she said.

A group of participants from North Jakarta expressed their satisfaction and said they would wait for the next presentation and attend.

In streets surrounding the Senayan stadium, Saturday's grand presentation caused huge traffic jams which lasted for more than an hour. (01)