Wiranto calls for alertness over rumors

BANDUNG (JP): Army Chief of Staff Gen. Wiranto has called on the public to be alert for rumors spread by people seeking to instigate unrest and divide people.

"If need be, treat those rumors as you would rubbish," he said here Monday. "Today's (economic and political situation) is not so bad, but there are groups who are trying to circulate rumors to divide people.

"Those rumors are garbage," he said.

He said it would be dangerous if people accepted such baseless rumors.

"Whatever you call them, rumors and leaflets can only come from people with evil designs," he said. "If we respond to them, that would just be what they want us to do. That would be a bad move. We all need to shield the public from such rumors."

Wiranto spoke out against efforts to divide people. "We need to stand united, regardless of ethnic group, religion, race, status and the economic situation," he said.

"It would be a mistake if we let these people put us in pigeon holes," he said.

Wiranto was in Bandung, West Java, for the launch of special telephone numbers, 122 and 125, to facilitate the government's campaign for national discipline.

The first number accesses special alert command posts in regency military bases, while the second number is for the public to report any undisciplined acts. (43)