A better second year<\/p>\n
Even before he stepped into Merdeka Palace, Susilo Bambang
\nYudhoyono's legacy had been assured. As the first-ever
\ndemocratically elected Indonesian president, Susilo was the
\nprogeny of trial and error, part of this nation's desire to
\nconstruct a more representational, fairer, system of governance.<\/p>\n
Not simply a government by the people, of the people, and for
\nthe people, but one that abounds with humility and earnestness.<\/p>\n
Despite the initial jubilation of electoral success, the past
\n12 months, however, have been a time that most would sooner
\nforget. From mad men's ire to nature's wrath, Susilo's young
\nadministration had to care for a nation beset by domestic
\nmisfortune -- natural disasters and bombings -- in the least-
\nfriendliest global environment.<\/p>\n
Not all problems can be blamed on fate though. The Susilo
\ngovernment's clumsiness was as culpable as providence.<\/p>\n
Policy dithers by the new administration prevented quickfire
\nremedies, as executive inexperience turned complications into
\nproblems. The president's occasional reticence exasperated
\ncritics and a predilection for platitudes before action helped
\nstoke resentment as the poor became wretched and the wretched
\nwent hungry.<\/p>\n
The rupiah's slump in recent months is in some ways a sign of
\nthe public and business sector's lack of confidence in the
\ngovernment. The most lucid indication that this government has
\nnot delivered what was expected.<\/p>\n
Yet, despite his shortcomings, Susilo has shown that he is
\nwilling to take the necessary tough measures -- no matter how
\nunpopular -- when deemed necessary. The massive fuel price hikes
\nthis year should help relieve long-term stresses on the budget.<\/p>\n
The administration has also succeeded in doing what no other
\ngovernment has been able to do: Present a sound framework for
\npeace in Aceh. The details of the agreement signed in Helsinki
\nremain contentious, but at least the administration has displayed
\nstrong political will to bring a lasting peaceful solution to a
\nregion fraught with suffering and death.<\/p>\n
That in itself is a feat that cannot be understated.<\/p>\n
Pragmatically, the expectations placed on this administration
\nwere unrealistic. Twelve months, or even 60 months, insufficient
\nto completely amend the many wrongs. But Indonesians long for
\nsmall miracles. Some hope to raise them out of the doldrums
\nhampering the past nine years of their lives.<\/p>\n
We still believe that Susilo, with his overwhelming mandate,
\nis a man who can prove that the democratic system this nation
\nembraced can bring about better life for its peoples. Given the
\nstock that was available at the time, we cannot imagine any other
\nperson as president able to survive and meet the challenges that
\nhave presented itself in the past year.<\/p>\n
Hence, given the multiple challenges faced, we are of the
\nopinion that President Susilo receives a passing grade during his
\nfreshman year, albeit with some degree of reservation.<\/p>\n
If he can survive a very difficult first year such as this, he
\ncan go forth to better things.<\/p>\n
It is imperative that in the coming months ahead he rekindles
\nfour major themes that were so prominent during his election
\ncampaign, including anti-corruption; economic recovery with
\nemphasis on improving people's welfare; and continued pursuance
\nof political reform.<\/p>\n
Due to catastrophic events, many of these ambitions could not
\nbe pursued. But there should be no reason -- barring even more
\ncalamitous tragedies -- why in his second year the president
\ncannot begin to show results in these fields.<\/p>\n
Better coordination and more empathetic policies are a
\nnecessity if reform programs are to succeed and the government is
\nto retain people's confidence. The politicization of Cabinet
\nseats should be avoided, so too should public bouts for political
\ncontrol in the decision-making process.<\/p>\n
First impressions are always important. But it will be the
\nsecond imprint which either confirms or corrects the initial
\nnegative.<\/p>\n
Year two of Susilo's presidency will set the scene for his
\nlast three years. This is not a second chance for Susilo, but a
\nsecond wind for a country whose democratic exercise has only
\nbrought new depths of despair.<\/p>\n
We look forward, with hope.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-better-second-year-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }