SENIOR POLITICIAN WARNS AGAINST DEVELOPMENTS LEADING TO CHAOS

Jakarta, Jan 21 (ANTARA) - A senior politician from the Golkar Party, Pinantun Hutasoit, said all parties should feel called to prevent Indonesia from falling into a chaotic situation.

"The situation right now must be seriously watched both by the government and the people's representatives because if it is allowed to drag on it certainly will throw the country into chaos which we have long avoided," he said here on Thursday.

He said he was very concerned about the behavior of the people now, which must be closely watched, particularly with regard to their opinions on various current and national problems.

"The fact is, whatever is done by the government and law enforcers always seems to run against the view of the general public," he said citing the Bank Century bailout, the legal case of former antigraft chief Antasari Azhar and the exaggerated defamation charges against Prita Mulyasari as examples.

Those cases seem to have been used by the general public as a means of venting their views which are mostly against the government. Even state symbols and officials' pictures have been made the target of their anger. "This is really concerning," he said.

He said the government had to build authority by acting not against the people's interest and wishes.

"Do not let its authority be eroded. For that the government must act in line with the people's mandate and stick to principles of justice and not hurt the people," he said.

Pinantun expressed concern if that was what reform had wanted, adding that people were actually not yet ready in terms of education and socio-economic conditions.

This is what the government and people's representatives have to finish, he said. "Do not let the situation to drag on if we do not want to make the country fall into a chaotic era," he said.

Uu. H-AK
(H-YH/A/HAJM/B003)