Use Ramadhan for introspection, minister says

Use Ramadhan for introspection, minister says

JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and
Security Soesilo Soedarman stressed the importance of
introspection, particularly for those who consider themselves
community leaders.

Though he did not refer to any specific person or
organization, Soesilo's statement comes amid the controversy and
internal bickering in several leading social-political
organizations.

He said that the Moslem fasting month should be used to
"heighten self-restraint and understanding in order to strengthen
national unity and unite form and content."

Moslems revere the month of Ramadhan as a holy month in which
they fast and try to conduct themselves as well as possible. This
year Ramadhan goes from Jan. 22 to Feb. 19.

Both the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), a mass Moslem organization, and
the minority Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) have been
embroiled in internal conflicts lately.

There have been suggestions that some elements in the
government have had a hand in fueling the conflict in the two
organizations. NU chairman Abdurrahman Wahid and members of the
PDI are known to be vocal critics of the government.

However, responding to questions from journalists, Soesilo
said that "It is no longer relevant for the government to
intervene in social or political organizations,".

The continuing disputes at the two organizations, some of
which have been going on for two-years, have prompted calls for
government arbitration and facilitation to find an acceptable
solution.

Soesilo maintained that the government should restrain itself
from intervening.

"That's the way it is supposed to be," he remarked.

Soesilo spoke after chairing a monthly meeting on political
and security issues with fellow cabinet members. Attending the
meeting were Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, Armed Forces Chief Gen.
Feisal Tanjung, Minister of Justice Oetojo Oesman, Attorney
General Singgih, and the head of the National Intelligence
Coordinating Board (BAKIN) Soedibyo.

Commenting on recent reports that PDI members were planning to
nominate their chief Megawati Soekarnoputri, the eldest daughter
of late President Sukarno, Soesilo said it was the prerogative of
that party to do so. "Go ahead and nominate her," he remarked.

When further pressed why the Association of Retired Servicemen
(Pepabri), which Soesilo chairs, had not yet formally expressed
its backing for a presidential candidate, he replied that it was
not the time yet.

He said that the General Assembly of the People's
Representative Council (MPR) which elects the president is not
due to convene until 1998 and that thus there was ample time
left.

Pepabri would probably declare its endorsement during the
MPR's General Assembly, he said.

The Indonesian Legion of Veterans, which is headed by former
cabinet minister Achmad Taher on Monday officially endorsed
President Soeharto's nomination for another presidential term.

"If you want to nominate someone else, go ahead," he said.
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