Indonesian Vice President Calls for Defending National UnityIndonesian Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri Sunday called on all components of the nation to safeguard the unity and cohesion of the whole nation, which she said is facing with disintegration.Speaking to 100,000 supporter of her party at a mass gathering to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) at the Senayan main sports stadium, Megawati said the unity of the state stands above all. "That should always be remembered and upheld together." "We are in the phase of survival of the nation, the existence of our nation is currently being tested," she noted. "PDIP should consolidate the party, to continue and safeguard the purity of reforms and prevent the disintegration of the nation and the state," said Megawati, who is also general Chairwoman of the PDIP. Since the fall of the country's former president Soeharto in May 1998, the struggle between reformists and the forces of Soeharto has triggered the separatism and communal violence in several provinces. She also said the level of violence and terror experienced by the country in the recent past had now reached a dangerous level. The anniversary celebration was also attended by President Abdurrahman Wahid, House Speaker Akbar Tanjung and Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly Amien Rais. |
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