Try warns PIKI executives against provocation

Try warns PIKI executives against provocation

JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Try Sutrisno has told the
Association of Indonesian Christian Intellectuals (PIKI) not to
respond rashly to unrest or any other short-lived trend.

Try told visiting PIKI executives at Merdeka Palace Saturday
that they should instead enhance their analytical capabilities to
help the nation face up to future challenges.

"PIKI could play a greater role in the government's efforts to
build an orderly, secure, just, wealthy and unified society,"
chairman Peter Sumbung quoted Try as saying.

The PIKI executives, including secretary-general Cornelius
Ronowidjojo, deputy chairmen Maurits Simatupang and Benyamin
Waturangi, and advisors Lt. Gen. (ret) Leo Lopulissa and Maj.
Gen. (ret) Joseph Muskita, paid a courtesy call on Try ahead of
PIKI's annual congress from Nov. 18 to Nov. 22 in Pontianak, West
Kalimantan.

PIKI is the oldest religious-based intellectual group in the
country, it was established in December 1963.

There are also Moslem, Catholic, Hindu and Buddhist
intellectual groups. The nationalist Association of Intellectuals
for Pancasila Development (PCPP), founded in 1995, is the latest
such group.

Peter said after the meeting with Try that PIKI would announce
after the congress recommendations in connection with the general
assembly of the People's Consultative Assembly next March, which
will elect the president and vice president for the 1998-2003
period.

"We will discuss and announce our stance on the country's next
president," said Peter, former deputy chairman of the National
Family Planning Board.

Incumbent President Soeharto has so far found no real
challengers in the race for the top post. If reelected, he will
extend the presidential job he has assumed since 1968 for another
five years.

Peter said the congress would also draft State Policy
Guidelines to be submitted to the assembly.

He said PIKI chose Pontianak to host the upcoming congress
because it wanted to "cool the tragedy-plagued town". Riots hit
Pontianak in January, the second wave of ethnic and religious
conflict to jolt West Kalimantan.

There has been no official death toll of the riots. The Army's
Maj. Gen. Zacky Anwar said some 300 people were killed during the
fighting between the Dayaks and Madurese, but Army Chief of Staff
Gen. R. Hartono denied it. (amd)