PRESIDENT WORRIED ABOUT SPREAD OF SLANDER

Jakarta, Dec 27 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed concern about the spread of slander and false news stories which had increasingly appeared lately.

Speaking in a joint national Christmas function 2009 at the Jakarta Convention Center Sunday night the President expressed concern about social and political phenomena which according to him have damaged pivotal points of state of life.

"I express concern over some social and political phenomena which came up recently that I believed have damaged the pivotal points of our life, which have triggered the appearance of nature and behavior on the basis of slander, false news stories and fiction, instead of facts and the truth," he pointed out.

In addition to the spread of slander and the false news, Yudhoyono was also worried about the emergence of rude behavior and an atmosphere of violence committed by some of people in expressing their freedom.

"All the attitudes have moved beyond the limits of acceptable moral, ethical, and character as the main teachings of religion," he said.

If such behaviour continues to happen, it will eventually disrupt and weaken the society, he said, while warning that a peaceful life would be replaced by a life of prejudice, conflicts, and hostility.

The president then called on all parties to stop such improper behaviour and mood, and instead apply ways of life reflecting life based on religious teachings.

"Let us jointly called for the rejection of slander, false news stories and rude behavior," he added.