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President calls for ethical democracy

NU Online  ·  Rabu, 20 Oktober 2010 | 10:47 WIB

Jakarta, NU Online
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has expressed hope that although democracy has been developing well in Indonesia, ethics should be uphold in its implementation.

The president made the statement in an interview with a private radio station here Wednesday when being asked on mass rallies being held throughout the country to mark the first anniversary of the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY)-Boediono administration.<>

"I support and love human rights and democracy. But one thing, democracy is ethical, and must obey the rules. We want democracy, but it should not become a sea of slander," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

The head of state said that the government respected criticism and inputs from various parties, because in fact it would encourage the government to perform better.

"Concerning the public wanting to make criticism, we should fully understand what kind of democracy that we want to develop," he said.

Yudhoyono jokingly said that only in Indonesia that the first anniversary of the administration was marked by holding demonstrations, while in other countries, they usually make a survey or pooling on the administration`s performance.

"Some are spontaneous, and some others are designed, but it`s okay. They might be looking for a better form of democracy," he said.

"Democracy is important, but we must obey the rules and uphold the ethics," he said. (dar)