Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Jakarta (Fides Service) - Amidst tension and uncertainty Indonesia has reached the last stage of presidential elections scheduled for Monday 20 September when the country will at last know the name of its first democratically elected leader. The electoral campaign closes on Friday 17. Until then the two candidates may rally their supporters in public and via the media, although masse demonstrations are not allowed.
The country is still under the effect of the 9 September bomb blast which destroyed the Australian embassy in Jakarta. Police forces continue to investigate and have issued photographs and names of 10 men suspected of being involved in terrorist attacks in Bali (October 2002), at the Marriot Hotel in Jakarta (August 2003) and the most recent attack in the capital.
A local Church source told Fides that it is thought the latest attach is connected with international terrorism rather than the local situation. However the bomb blast came on the eve of the election and “roused fear and concern among the people and it could affect the political situation”.
People fear a strengthening of the presence of the army and lobbies connected with the military, traditionally leaders in Indonesian politics which was under a dictatorship until as recently as 1998led by General Suharto.
This is why the candidates in their last addresses outgoing Megawati Sukarnoputri and general Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, praised the role and underlined the importance of the army to guarantee the country stability and security.
Observers fear the presence of too many members of the military in politics who tend to settle the country’s many and varied problems and tensions with the logic of armed force and repression.
Another challenge for this country today is spreading Muslim extremism. Hitherto Islam in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country (210 population 85% Muslim), has been traditionally tolerant and peaceful. However recently the presence of members of the Jemaah Islamiah terrorist group found all over south east Asia which has claimed responsibility for various terrorist attacks, is causing unrest and division in the Muslim community. Nevertheless the country’s largest Muslim Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhmmadya, say that extremist groups are only a minority which must be isolated and removed.
At the first round of presidential elections General Yudhoyono, obtained 33.57%, followed by Megawati 26.60% and another former general Wiranto came third with 22.15%.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 16/9/2004 lines 37 words 385)
