A crucial moment for Habibie<\/p>\n
Twenty-one draft decrees are reported to be ready to be
\ndiscussed during the forthcoming extraordinary session of the
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly. The United Development Party
\nfaction is reported to have proposed a draft decree that would
\nmandate President B.J. Habibie to investigate former president
\nSoeharto concerning his policies while in office, his personal
\nwealth and that of his family and the high-ranking officials of
\nhis New Order regime. The faction of regional representatives is
\nsaid to be preparing a draft decree that would require Soeharto
\nto account for his actions and policies enacted during the period
\nfrom March 14, 1997, to May 21 this year.<\/p>\n
Irrespective of how the process will move and what the results
\nmight be, Habibie must make sure that the process of governing
\ncontinues smoothly, and he must prevent the current food crisis
\nfrom getting worse -- especially with regard to the provision and
\ndistribution of essential commodities. Unless he manages to do
\nthis, a situation could arise whose impacts are likely to cause
\ndrawn-out political and social instability. What options does
\nPresident B.J. Habibie have?<\/p>\n
The political pressures are bound to get heavier in the near
\nfuture. Therefore, the accommodating stance which the government
\nhas adopted so far should be given more substance and not left to
\nbe merely symbolical in nature. The student demonstrations that
\nhave occurred lately indicate that their political demands have
\nbegun to become more crystallized and that more thoroughly
\nconceived methods may be expected. The ball is in Habibie's
\ncourt. He must never forget his position as holder of the
\npeople's mandate, use good judgment, remain just and heedful of
\nthe moral teachings of his religion and not let himself be guided
\nby his personal instincts.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-crucial-moment-for-habibie-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }