ASIA/INDONESIA - Vote candidates committed to fighting corruption and promoting social development: Bishops advise Catholic in view of presidential elections on 5 July

Jakarta (Fides Service) - “Vote for a president seriously committed to preventing the destruction of nature and who has the courage to work to eliminate corruption and punish the corrupt. We need a national leader who will lead people away from a culture of violence committed by the state which puts groups of different traditions one against the other stigmatising some members of society, excluding and victimising them”. This statement was issued by the Catholic Bishops of Indonesia in view of presidential elections on 5 July during which for the first time the president will be elected by the people
In their statement the Bishops stress the need to build a climate of democracy as a basis on which to develop justice and peace to enable the people of Indonesia to live more diligently and honestly.
The Bishops say they hope the new President “will have the courage to reinforce justice without forgetting truth and law”. The Bishops note with pride the interest expressed by the Christian community in this history making event in the country’s history: the community has demonstrated maturity and awareness, full insertion in the social and political life of this largely Muslim country. They praise all the people for their behaviour at the legislative elections in April this year and they encourage a responsible vote, after careful evaluation of the political programme presented by the different candidates.
The three most favoured candidates are: outgoing president Megawati Sukarnoputri, daughter of Sukarno who governed Indonesia from 1955-1965; General, former Minister of Defence at the time of massacres in East Timor, for which he has been held responsible; former General Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 28/5/2004 lines 31 words 312)