Awaiting President's move<\/p>\n
From Rakyat Merdeka<\/p>\n
With their hearts throbbing, the people witnessed every second
\nof the process of the presidential election up to the election of
\nAbdurrahman Wahid as Indonesia's fourth president. We also
\nwitnessed how the general chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Mrs. Megawati magnanimously
\nshook hands with the new president, even though she was the
\ncandidate from the party which had won the most votes in the
\ngeneral election.<\/p>\n
This marked the first step of democracy, and, despite its
\nshortcomings, something like this has never happened before. Now
\nthe people are more knowledgeable about the stages of a
\npresidential election. They also know that seeking a consensus
\nthrough deliberation is more difficult than it was in the past.
\nThe sessions were full of interruptions and highlighted by
\ndebates.<\/p>\n
The fact now lying before us is that Abdurrahman Wahid is our
\nnew president. The question to ask now is: What next? What the
\npeople hope to have is not just a new president, but, more
\nimportantly, they are hoping to see total reforms, including the
\nfollowing:
\n - to escape from the economic crisis;
\n - to implement the reform agenda;
\n - to settle the cases of Aceh, East Timor, Irian Jaya and so
\nforth;
\n - to settle cases related to corruption, collusion and nepotism;
\n - to establish justice-based supremacy of the law;
\n - to achieve prosperity, create employment opportunities and
\neradicate narcotics.<\/p>\n
I don't think I can enumerate in detail all the tasks ahead,
\nbecause there are too many things that have to be put in order by
\nthe new government. Let's wait for the move to be taken by Gus
\nDur. We'll see what can be achieved in the first three months of
\nhis administration. First we must consider his cabinet line-up,
\nand then his \"crash program\".<\/p>\n
To Mr. Abdurrahman Wahid, who was chosen to be the president,
\nI wish to extend my congratulations. Please always bear in mind
\nthat there is a mountain of work, and over 200 million people are
\nawaiting your moves.<\/p>\n
BAMBANG SUMANTRI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/awaiting-presidents-move-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }