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)