Text: Congressman Warns of Perils to Democracy in Indonesia
(Representative Joseph Pitts May 25 speech)Democracy is facing serious challenges in Indonesia, says Representative Joseph Pitts (Republican of Pennsylvania).
In a May 25 speech, Pitts warned that democracy is still in its "infancy" in Indonesia, and is being seriously challenged.
Pitts, who led a delegation to Indonesia in June of last year and has often expressed concern over religious and ethnic persecution in that country, cautioned that proposals to "impose" Sharia law, the Islamic legal system, on the whole Indonesian nation could harm efforts to establish democracy there.
"One is hard-pressed to find a country anywhere in the world in which democracy and Sharia law coexist," the Pennsylvania lawmaker said.
Ethnic unrest and sectarian strife in Indonesia, he said, had resulted in $90 billion in foreign investment "leaving Indonesia in the year 2000."
The lack of settled rule of law and civil society creates instability, he warned, and this instability will cause foreign businesses to find "other markets in which to grow in Asia."
Following is the May 25 text of Representative Joseph Pitts' speech in extension of remarks from the Congressional Record:
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POLITICAL CRISIS IN INDONESIA
HON. JOSEPH R. PITTSExtensions of Remarks
May 26, 2001HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS OF PENNSYLVANIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Friday, May 25, 2001Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, recent political crises in Indonesia underscores the difficult challenges facing the development of democracy in that nation and region. The spectrum of issues includes human rights violations in Aceh, Irian Jaya, Malukus, Poso, and Padang, the Trisakti shooting, corruption cases, mass rapes of Chinese women in May 1998, and the upcoming parliamentary actions against President Wahid. At this moment, democracy in its infancy is being seriously challenged in Indonesia. No great principle or ideology, however, survives without facing serious challenges--challenges that can be surmounted with great sacrifice and leadership. Democracy is a principle for which it is worth fighting. And, I trust that the people of Indonesia and their leaders will continue to make every effort to see that democracy is established firmly so that the Indonesian people will enjoy true prosperity and peace.
Last June I led a delegation to Indonesia and shared with President Wahid deep concern about the presence of Laskar Jihad in the Malukus and the widespread violence and bloodshed perpetrated by this group. The President indicated he had ordered Laskar Jihad to leave and stay out--an encouraging sign for the suffering people in Maluku. Several weeks ago reports detailed the arrest of the leader of Laskar Jihad, Mr. Jafar Umar Thalib. Many hoped that the turmoil and killings in the Malukus would finally come to an end. Important progress has been made among the Moluccans themselves, both the Muslims and the Christians, with reconciliation, rehabilitation and the rebuilding programs for people in the Malukus. This reflects a foundation and strong desire for the Moluccan people to reconcile without interference from militant and extremist groups such as Laskar Jihad.
Unfortunately, continued reports from Indonesia about the arrest and then release of leaders promoting violence, particularly the release of Mr. Jafar Thalib from police custody, have discouraged many within Indonesia. There are widespread implications of the release of an individual who seems to only promote violence, bloodshed, and division. Mr. Thalib's, and other militant leaders' desires undermine the establishment and continued development of democracy, civil society, freedom, and peace for the people of Indonesia. In addition, the proposals of some groups to impose Sharia law on the entire nation raise great concerns. One is hard-pressed to find a country anywhere in the world in which democracy and Sharia law coexist.
The unrest and strife resulted in $90 billion in foreign investment leaving Indonesia in the year 2000. Yet, the international business community hopes to return investment to Indonesia and increase business and therefore jobs for local economies. Lack of rule of law and civil society create instability--an environment that threatens any economic growth. Businesses will find other markets in which to grow in Asia.
I, and many other Members of Congress, fully support the establishment and development of democracy in Indonesia. Civil society and stability will create a lasting atmosphere in which the beauty, diversity, and resources of Indonesia and the Indonesian people can grow and be enjoyed in peace and prosperity.
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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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