{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1316466,
        "msgid": "achieving-1447899208",
        "date": "2003-11-21 00:00:00",
        "title": "Achieving",
        "author": null,
        "source": "JP",
        "tags": null,
        "topic": null,
        "summary": "Achieving national discipline It is amazing that the problem of transition toward democracy, which has characterized Indonesian political development during the past five years, has recently triggered a hectic debate between scholars and commentators. Also, the debate has involved an exchange of opposing arguments from differing perspectives, as manifest in a dozen lengthy articles published in Kompas, from Sept. 29 to date.",
        "content": "<p>Achieving<br>\nnational discipline<\/p>\n<p>It is amazing that the problem of transition toward democracy, <br>\nwhich has characterized Indonesian political development during <br>\nthe past five years, has recently triggered a hectic debate <br>\nbetween scholars and commentators. Also, the debate has involved <br>\nan exchange of opposing arguments from differing perspectives, as <br>\nmanifest in a dozen lengthy articles published in Kompas, from <br>\nSept. 29 to date.<\/p>\n<p>However, the fact is that the concept of democracy cannot be <br>\ndenied its relevance and legitimacy in the light of the current <br>\npolitical situation.<\/p>\n<p>To indulge persistently in never-ending, open-ended discussion <br>\non the abstract subject of democracy may divert attention from <br>\nthe imminent priorities that must be tackled promptly to <br>\nalleviate the multifaceted suffering of people at the grass <br>\nroots.<\/p>\n<p>In contrast to the abstract discourse on democracy, a lively <br>\noverview of social conditions of a southeast Asian country was <br>\npresented the other day by Professor Monirul I. Khan, department <br>\nof sociology, University of Dhaka, who reported on his recent <br>\nvisit to Vietnam in an article titled Social path of economic <br>\ndevelopment (The Jakarta Post, Nov. 4).<\/p>\n<p>The very first thing that caught his attention upon arrival in <br>\nHanoi was discipline in the movement of people and that of their <br>\nvehicles. Prof. Khan also stated succinctly that the patriotism <br>\nand dedication of the Vietnamese stood out and grabbed his <br>\nattention.<\/p>\n<p>The conclusion on Vietnam was summarized in another thought-<br>\ninspiring quotation: \"What you need for making great economic  <br>\nstrides is fewer large loans from (international) multilateral <br>\nagencies and more sincere committed leadership and a disciplined <br>\npopulation\" (the Post, Nov. 4).<\/p>\n<p>The ideal of committed leadership and a disciplined population <br>\ncan be achieved in the long run only through better education for <br>\nthe masses.<\/p>\n<p>S. SUHAEDI<br>\nJakarta<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/achieving-1447899208",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}