Wahono warns of disunity

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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