by Mathias Hariyadi

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of independence, the Bishops' Conference launches a warning about the current political situation. Many of the programs promised during the election campaign are unfinished and the political class lacks proper moral values. There are still open wounds: unemployment, underdevelopment, corruption and nepotism.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - The Catholic Church in Indonesia "is very concerned about the political situation of the country, which still sees the domination of the majority on the minority groups". On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of independence from Dutch rule in Indonesia - August 17, 1945 - the country's Bishops Conference (KWI) is warning the political elite and government that many programs promised during the election campaign have not been carried through. Widespread poverty, social gaps, lack of work, vast underdeveloped areas and violence are some of the scourges of modern Indonesia.

Msgr. Ignatius Suharyo, Archbishop of Jakarta and President of Kwi, held a press conference together with Fr. Edy Purwanto, secretary general of the Bishops' Conference: "On many occasions and in certain areas of the country - said the archbishop - the presence of the state is not perceived by the Indonesians, because public facilities are still unattainable for many."

The bishops perceive that the government inefficiency is due to a lack of moral protagonists of national politics, who have little dedication in service to citizens and are complicit in massive corruption, nepotism and preferential acts aimed at procuring the interests of certain groups or persons. Policies, says Msgr. Suharyo, "are manipulated to obtain power".

Marking the 70th anniversary, the Archipelago’s bishops published a message. They claim that "democracy is lacking and impartiality is little practiced, in the domain of the politics of Parliament and among government officials. Many laws and regulations are poorly prepared and approved only to achieve personal goals in the medium term and common interests between factions. "

In this situation, the Indonesian Church calls for honesty and moral integrity among all politicians, based on loyalty to the national philosophy of Pancasila [the five pillars of the Constitution ed]: "We firmly believe - reads the message - that if the Political leaders have a strong moral commitment to develop the country, the situation will greatly improve".

After the declaration of independence in 1945, obtained with the help of Japan, the Netherlands continued to consider the country one of its  colonies. After four years of war and negotiations, the independence leader Sukarno became the first president of Indonesia. Since 1950 the country has been a member of the UN.

• INDONESIA
• independence
• celebrations
• democracy
• politics
• corruption