"People should not be trapped in scapegoating politics as this will not solve (any) problem but only worsen the situation," said the students in a joint statement read out by Abidin Fikri, a member of the Indonesian Nationalist Students Movement (GMNI).
The statement was read before journalists at the headquarters of the 30-millionstrong Moslem organization Nahdlatul Ulama on Jl. Kramat Raya in Central Jakarta.
Leaders from GMNI, the Indonesian Islamic Students Movement (PMII), the Christian Student Movement, the Association of Indonesian Hindu Students (KMHDI) and the Independent Election Monitoring Committee (KIPP) were among leaders of the 13 student and youth organizations who signed the statement Thursday.
They also called on the public to remain vigilant against anything which could trigger SARA problems. SARA stands for Suku (tribal affiliations), agama (religion), ras (race) and antar golongan (societal groups).
When asked whether the appeal was made following recent demonstrations against alleged politicking by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and business tycoon Sofjan Wanandi and his brother Jusuf Wanandi, KIPP's secretary-general Mulyana W. Kusumah said: "Yes, we considered those were relevant (with scapegoating)."
He was quick to point out however, that the appeal was not pointed at any particular party whatsoever.
Certain groups of students have accused the CSIS and the Wanandis of contributing to Indonesia's economic woes.
"We are not trying to pin any blame on anyone, we only think we should focus on political reform and the quest for this should not be shifted to other issues," Mulyana said, adding that only political reform could solve the current crisis.
The University of Indonesia's political observer Maswadi Rauf shared Mulyana's opinion, saying that political reform is needed to boost democratization in the country.
Maswadi, however, said that what the country needed was real commitment toward political reform from Golkar.
"Golkar must assure the public and, in particular, foreign countries about its commitment to political reform," Maswadi told The Jakarta Post by phone yesterday
Analysts have questioned Golkar's commitment as it has ruled out all of the eight motions on reform submitted by the minority United Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) factions in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).
Golkar rejected motions on internal rule changes in the Assembly, Pancasila democracy, economic democracy, clean government, judicial review human rights protection, election regulation changes and the revocation of the controversial floating mass policy.
The 1,000-member Assembly will convene next month to endorse the 1998/2003 State Policy Guidelines and elect a president and vice president. (byg)
