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)