Tolerance ‘not a priority’ for major parties

Tolerance ‘not a priority’ for major parties
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 09/29/2010 10:05 PM | National

Despite a number of recent incidents stemming from interfaith issues in the country, political parties still do not consider it a priority, a discussion heard Wednesday.

Dodi Ambardi, executive director of the Indonesian Survey Institute, said political parties had to deal with and determine their position against a great number of issues such as poverty, foreign affairs and trade.

“The issue on religious tolerance is only one of hundreds of issues occupying the parties. It must compete with other issues they consider to be ‘sexier’, he said during a discussion held by the Journalists’ Association for Diversity (Sejuk)

“So, there’s only a little probability that they will pay attention to this problem,” he added.

Dodi said the only exception to this would be in lead up to the general elections — a time when political parties might see benefit in addressing religious intolerance.

“The cycle of the election will determine whether this issue of tolerance will gain much currency.”

Dodi said the recent violent attacks against HKPB church leaders in Bekasi indicated that on an individual level, political figures seemed to uphold tolerance.

“But, their individual reactions toward the incident were spontaneous and unofficial. It means their parties do not think there’s religious intolerance and a problem with the relationship between religious groups at this moment,” he added. (lnd)