Clean govt, anti-corruption drive paramount: Amien<\/p>\n
Moslem scholars Amien Rais and Abdurrahman Wahid,
\nrespectively chairman of Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama Moslem
\norganizations, are known to be outspoken social and political
\ncommentators. Both have significant political bearing given their
\nmillions of supporters and followers. The two are also noted to
\noften stand in opposition over many issues. However, when it
\ncomes to the question of what constitutes Indonesia's most
\nimportant future challenges, both share similar concerns.<\/p>\n
Question: On several occasions you have put forward what you
\ncall "the national agenda" or Indonesia's most pressing
\nchallenges. Can you elaborate?<\/p>\n
Answer: I believe the most important challenge is for
\nIndonesia to protect its natural resources. Over the past 30
\nyears, we have been robbed. We are being pushed into bankruptcy.<\/p>\n
Take for example the gigantic exploitation of our mining
\nresources by PT Freeport in Irian Jaya. The environment of the
\nprovince is in the process of being destroyed. Between 1973 and
\n1997, the company has excavated 1,650 tons of gold, giving them
\nan estimated revenue of Rp 400 trillion.<\/p>\n
The sad thing is we don't even have access to the company's
\nbookkeeping.<\/p>\n
So, the most important thing for us to do is to protect our
\nforests, our land and our oil resources, so they're not robbed
\nfurther.<\/p>\n
Q: What's the next challenge?<\/p>\n
A: The second agenda is for Indonesia to develop competitive
\nhuman resources. Compared to some neighboring countries, we are
\nlagging behind.<\/p>\n
Malaysia, with a population of 20 million people, has 500,000
\nengineers, 200,000 of which are internationally certified.
\nIndonesia, with a population of 200 million, has only 85,000
\nengineers and only 1 percent of them are already certified.<\/p>\n
Q: What comes next?<\/p>\n
A: The third agenda is the establishment of a clean government.
\nThis is where we have to fight corruption that has become a
\nchronic problem. So, the next administration, to be established
\nafter the general session of the People's Consultative Assembly
\nnext March, should really make an effort to build a clean
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
The fourth agenda is to narrow down the yawning gap between
\nthe rich and the poor.<\/p>\n
Q: Where does the question of persisting tension between social
\ngroups come into your agenda?<\/p>\n
A: It's the fifth agenda of the nation. We need to preserve our
\nprinciple of "unity in diversity". Many countries have
\ndisintegrated because of racial and sectarian conflict.<\/p>\n
This is the agenda for the post-Soeharto era. At the time, we
\nwill need a "clean and good coalition", an alliance of social and
\npolitical forces that are "clean".<\/p>\n
This is not something that can be done by the Armed Forces, or
\nby Golkar, single-handedly. This is a responsibility that should
\nbe borne together. The components of the bearer of this
\nresponsibility, however, should be clean. Otherwise, we'd still
\nsee a corrupt scene, the game would be the same, only the players
\nchange.<\/p>\n
This cannot be allowed. The players should change. With
\nprogressive people in the Armed Forces, in Golkar, in non-
\ngovernmental organizations, in political parties. Those who place
\nthe interests of this nation above all else.<\/p>\n
Why do I think that the players should change? Because I am
\nskeptical that the current players will be able to carry out the
\nagenda for the nation in the future.<\/p>\n
Q: But not all is bad with the current players...<\/p>\n
A: As a scientist, I tried to picture what it is that our nation
\nhas to carry out in the future. Our national agenda. Of course
\nthere has been much progress achieved (by the current
\nadministration) that deserves praise.<\/p>\n
It's clear that over the past 30 years there has been much
\nprogress, for instance, in the way we have upheld the spirit of
\nunity in diversity. As a nation state, we are solid. We have
\nlearned that this is the strength of our nation. This government
\ndeserves a mark of eight on the scale of 10 for its achievement
\nin this regard.<\/p>\n
There's also political stability... economic growth... self
\nsufficiency in food. In general, the picture is good. Our
\ninternational image is improving too. Health and life expectancy
\nis improving. And to some extent, science and technology is
\ndeveloping fairly rapidly.<\/p>\n
But remember there are also the minuses. The corruption, the
\npractice of collusion, the yawning gap between the rich and the
\npoor and there is poor rule of law here. This is where the
\nnational agenda comes into play. (swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/clean-govt-anti-corruption-drive-paramount-amien-1447893297",
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