Can a decree solve problems?<\/p>\n
From Media Indonesia<\/p>\n
In a recent afternoon news report aired by a private
\ntelevision station, Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri
\napparently had rejected President Abdurrahman \"Gus Dur\" Wahid
\nthreat of issuing a decree to declare a state of emergency. This
\nwas confirmed when she received the Forum of Communications of
\nRetired Members of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National
\nPolice led by Lt. Gen. (ret.) Saiful Sulun in the vice
\npresidential palace.<\/p>\n
It was quite an interesting report as in a month's time the
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly (MPR) will be convening a special
\nsession. One of the items on the agenda of the upcoming special
\nsession is President Abdurrahman's accountability report. Rumors
\nabout the above decree made their rounds again following
\nPresident Abdurrahman's statements during his recent visit to
\nAustralia and New Zealand.<\/p>\n
As citizens, we are sad to witness the lack of cohesion in our
\ngovernment. We are even sadder to see that there is conflict
\nbetween the executive and the legislative bodies. There is no
\nsign that this protracted conflict will be settled amicably. Who
\nare the victims of this ongoing conflict? None other than
\nordinary people, who generally know nothing about politics.<\/p>\n
Just imagine how bad the situation is for ordinary people. A
\ncontroversial statement made by a leader can cause a sharp drop
\nin the exchange rate of the rupiah against the U.S dollar. In
\ngeneral, the people are waiting to see an end to this ongoing
\nmultidimensional crisis.<\/p>\n
We agree with and support Pak Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who,
\nwhile still chief coordinating minister for political, social and
\nsecurity affairs, disagreed with the issuance of a decree to
\ndeclare a state of emergency.<\/p>\n
We believe Pak Susilo is a smart broad-minded man, and that he
\nplaces the unity of the state and the nation before anything
\nelse. Isn't it ironical that the political elite are still freely
\ngoing abroad when there is a need to declare a state of
\nemergency? Obviously, the nation is not in a state of emergency.
\nSuch as decree can only be issued if there is chaos.<\/p>\n
In the special session, the President will be evaluated by the
\nAssembly, which is the country's highest legislative body and one
\nthat gave Gus Dur the mandate as president. We hope all parties
\nwill be magnanimous enough to accept the political reality in
\nrelation to the special session. Without peace and respect for
\nthe political process, it will be impossible to resolve the
\nnation's problems.<\/p>\n
SUTARNI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/can-a-decree-solve-problems-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }