ID :
44321
Thu, 02/05/2009 - 17:30
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/44321
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PRESIDENT: N SUMATRA INCIDENT PUSHES COUNTRY BACK INTO "DARK ERA"
Jakarta, Feb 5 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the violent demonstration in North Sumatra that led to the death of Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD) chairman Abdul Aziz Angkat had pushed Indonesia "back into its dark era."
"When things like this happen, we cry in sadness because it means the country has slid back into its dark era. In the eyes of other countries, it will certainly be a blemish," the president said in remarks during a visit at PT Sinar Sosro in Cikarang, Bekasi, on Thursday.
He said the government had since the monetary crisis in 1998 been working hard to restore social and political stability but the North Sumatra incident had undone the government's efforts and again tarnished the country's image in the eyes of the international community.
He recalled that the many riotous events that took place in many parts of Indonesia in the post-1989 crisis period had led many countries at the time to view Indonesia as a country engulfed by anarchy.
The president therefore asked all parties not to disturb the social and political stability which had been achieved through painstaking and hard work.
"We have worked around the clock to restore social and political stability. As a result, we are at present in a conducive situation and we should not allow anything to happen that will change this," the president said, referring to the North Sumatra incident on Tuesday.
The president then expressed regret over the anarchic demonstration outside the North Sumatra Provincial Legislative Council building in Medan which led to the death of the Council's chairman.
"One hour after receiving information about the incident, I gave an instruction to security personnel to prevent the incident from causing wider unrest," the president said.
He added that in the present democratic era, freedom of expression and aspiration should be exercised in accordance with existing rules and regulations and without resort to anarchic acts.
The president expressed hope that in the runup to the general elections later this year, all parties would exercise self restraint and help to maintain security and order.
"My attitude is clear. I respect democracy but I am against anarchic acts," the head of state said.
"When things like this happen, we cry in sadness because it means the country has slid back into its dark era. In the eyes of other countries, it will certainly be a blemish," the president said in remarks during a visit at PT Sinar Sosro in Cikarang, Bekasi, on Thursday.
He said the government had since the monetary crisis in 1998 been working hard to restore social and political stability but the North Sumatra incident had undone the government's efforts and again tarnished the country's image in the eyes of the international community.
He recalled that the many riotous events that took place in many parts of Indonesia in the post-1989 crisis period had led many countries at the time to view Indonesia as a country engulfed by anarchy.
The president therefore asked all parties not to disturb the social and political stability which had been achieved through painstaking and hard work.
"We have worked around the clock to restore social and political stability. As a result, we are at present in a conducive situation and we should not allow anything to happen that will change this," the president said, referring to the North Sumatra incident on Tuesday.
The president then expressed regret over the anarchic demonstration outside the North Sumatra Provincial Legislative Council building in Medan which led to the death of the Council's chairman.
"One hour after receiving information about the incident, I gave an instruction to security personnel to prevent the incident from causing wider unrest," the president said.
He added that in the present democratic era, freedom of expression and aspiration should be exercised in accordance with existing rules and regulations and without resort to anarchic acts.
The president expressed hope that in the runup to the general elections later this year, all parties would exercise self restraint and help to maintain security and order.
"My attitude is clear. I respect democracy but I am against anarchic acts," the head of state said.
