Wahono warns of disunity

JAKARTA (JP): House Speaker Wahono warned national leaders yesterday of "signs of disunity" following the violence that rocked the country recently.

Addressing a plenary session marking the end of the House of Representatives' first hearing session for 1996/1997, Wahono called on both formal and informal leaders to engage in introspection and acknowledge weaknesses.

"Destructiveness and violence, the phenomenon of a moral decadence, are signs that we have been going astray from the ideals fomented when the republic was founded," he said.

"It's not wise for us to place blame on only certain parties. Before God, our history and our forefathers, we're all responsible.

"We should not satisfy ourselves with mere rhetoric, much less become defensive and self-righteous. This stance would never bring any improvement to the situation we are facing," he said.

Wahono called on all parties to examine the roots of many problems, including social gaps and discontentment. "People who have been left behind increasingly become sensitive and easily provoked," he warned.

"It's our responsibility to draw up state policies which will be able to help those who were left behind," he said. "We should be able to introduce equity, justice and strong harmony among different subcultures."

Wahono then called on all levels of the community to pray and to refrain from giving into the urge to destroy things. "Let's encourage all informal and formal leaders to improve relations, to examine the situation and to seek the best solutions.

"Those who refuse to introspect will find that it's history, by the grace of God, that will correct them," he said.

In other parts of his speech, Wahono cited a number of violent incidents occurring in the country over the past several months, including the attacks on East Java churches that occurred in the small town of Situbondo on Thursday last week. Five people died in the incident.

There had been reports, some unsubstantiated, about religious tension affecting other parts of the country. Riots also rocked Jakarta on July 27 following the forced takeover of the disputed headquarters of the Indonesian Democratic Party by supporters of new chairman Soerjadi from his rival, Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Yesterday, Wahono also reported that during the first hearing session for 1996/1997, the House of Representatives deliberated nine draft laws, including those on juvenile court and broadcasting. It passed on Oct. 14 the bills on food and on the Convention on Psychotropic Substances.

Wahono said the bills on broadcasting and on juvenile court present the legislators with difficult material that needs to be studied very carefully.

"The fact that there are many bills that have to be completed shows that the House has worked very thoroughly and carefully," he said.

In yet another part of his speech, Wahono congratulated the ruling political organization Golkar on its 32nd anniversary, which falls on Oct. 20.

"The House believes that as the biggest sociopolitical force, Golkar would prioritize national unity, togetherness and friendship," he said.

"Cadres of Golkar should never place their own interests or those of the grouping (above the good of the nation)," he said.

The House will convene again next month. (swe)

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