Ambivalent political attitude prevails in society<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of National Development
\nPlanning\/Chairman of the National Planning Board Ginandjar
\nKartasasmita says the public has an equivocal attitude toward the
\ngovernment's development policy.<\/p>\n
People demand stability but at the same time they dislike the
\ngovernment's firm actions towards maintaining it, he said here on
\nWednesday night.<\/p>\n
"Many people want stability but are anti-establishment.
\nSociety wants peace and security but criticizes firm action to
\nprotect it," he said.<\/p>\n
Ginandjar said one of the major challenges to the nation is to
\nensure that the need for political change follows the channels of
\npolitical development, so it does not impede progress.<\/p>\n
He said that in this current age of globalized information
\nsociety is easily influenced by the various alternatives to the
\nsystem that have been adopted.<\/p>\n
He admitted that "no one among us claims that our political
\nsystem is perfect" but said that necessary political change must
\nnot hamper the overall progress of national development.<\/p>\n
Ginandjar made the remarks addressing a gala dinner
\ncelebrating the silver anniversary of the Suara Karya daily
\nnewspaper.<\/p>\n
He said that foreign media exposure and other global
\ndevelopments have produced a more critical society.<\/p>\n
"Firm action is often interpreted as an act of oppression,"
\nGinandjar complained.<\/p>\n
"This shows that people are more critical, increasingly
\nassertive of their rights, and refuse to be treated badly," he
\nadded.<\/p>\n
Another challenge awaiting the nation is cultural change, he
\nnoted.<\/p>\n
According to Ginandjar such a transformation is unavoidable as
\nIndonesia's agricultural society evolves into an industrial one.<\/p>\n
"The evolution of values will create collisions and tremors,"
\nhe predicts.<\/p>\n
He noted that nations have disintegrated because of cultural
\nantagonisms.<\/p>\n
"I think none of us believe we shall head in that direction.
\nBut mere belief is not enough," Ginandjar said, calling for
\nefforts to settle cultural antagonism.<\/p>\n
Another social challenge which the country must deal with is
\nthe question of socio-economic disparity.<\/p>\n
"The problem of disparity, if not dealt with quickly and
\neffectively, has the potential to become even larger with the
\nadvent of deregulation," Ginandjar said.<\/p>\n
He said that in a free-market system, competition is wider and
\nopportunities greater, but weaker players may not be able to keep
\nup.<\/p>\n
This creates a condition where productive assets can be
\nincreasingly concentrated within a select group or region.<\/p>\n
It is for this very reason, Ginandjar explained, that the
\ngovernment indulges in "selective intervention" to help out those
\nwho have not reached their optimum competitive potential, while
\nat the same time still adhering to the principals of a global
\nopen market.<\/p>\n
He justified this policy as a means of reducing potential
\nelements which agitate instability.<\/p>\n
"Issues of economic disparity can quickly become political
\nissues in the guise of religion, race or culture," he said. (mds)<\/p>",
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