Wiranto calls for an end to misleading comments

Wiranto calls for an end to misleading comments

PANDEGLANG, West Java (JP): Minister of Defense and
Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto called for a stop to
the rhetorical bashing of the government as he claimed it was
diluting the political system and creating confusion among the
people.

Addressing the commencement of the nationwide Family Planning
Program-Health Assistance operation at Turus Islamic Boarding
School in Pandeglang, West Java, 91 kilometers west of Jakarta,
Wiranto said such confusing messages would not benefit anyone.

"We all can see that people have had enough of the jargon and
political rhetoric which really do not help the government's
efforts to bring an end to the prolonged economic crisis," he
said Saturday.

He did not specify the individuals or groups, but urged them
to instead deliver statements which would calm people who were
seriously affected by the crisis.

"They should carefully consider the impact of their
statements," he said. "They should be honest and only tell the
truth."

Wiranto was responding to a call by a member of the audience
who asked the general to persuade the mass media to refrain from
interviewing figures who supposedly confused people with their
statements.

Wiranto argued that what the people really needed now was to
be able to meet basic necessities and rise above the economic
crisis immediately.

"What people really think about is how to have a proper meal,
clothes and housing," he said.

Wiranto said that the visit to the boarding-school town was
merely aimed at directly absorbing low-income people's
aspirations for reform.

"The point is how to listen to their aspirations and try to
help solve their problems," he said.

The ceremony was used by local residents and Islamic scholars
to express their support for the government's reform agenda and
to direct the central government's attention to local issues and
needs.

"We (Pandeglang Islamic scholars) will totally support the
ongoing reform movement," said Ahmad Rafii, chairman of the
Pandeglang office of the Indonesian Council of Ulemas.

He, however, called on the government to help reduce the price
of fertilizers and provide local farmers with agricultural
machinery and local fishermen with proper fishing equipment.

Similarly, chairman of the Communication Forum for Pandeglang
Islamic Boarding Schools Ahmad Aminudin Ibrahim said the local
Moslem community supported the government-sponsored reform.

"You, state leaders, should not hesitate in your reform
agenda. We will support you," he said.

Wiranto was accompanied by Minister of Health Farid Anfasa
Moeloek, Minister of Population Ida Bagus Oka, West Java Governor
R. Nuriana and West Java Military Commander Maj. Gen. Purwadi.
Also included in the delegation were the wives of the three
ministers and officials. (imn)