Coalition against change<\/p>\n
From Media Indonesia<\/p>\n
The coalitions between the major political parties, in which
\nthe Golkar Party has recently formed an alliance with the
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) -- which is in
\naddition to PDI-P's earlier partnership agreements with the
\nUnited Development Party and the Prosperous Peace Party -- gives
\nrise to fears of status-quo domination.<\/p>\n
The old powers that they represent will likely hamper the
\n(new) government if it tries to bring about fresh changes through
\nvarious policies, which is even more the case if the change to be
\nintroduced is not in line with or even opposed to their
\ninterests.<\/p>\n
If the candidates they support are elected to head the
\ngovernment for the 2004-2009 term, there will be greater worries
\nbecause no significant change has taken place with the PDI-P in
\npower these last few years, in stark contrast to our neighboring
\ncountries, who had to face the same late 1990s economic crisis,
\nbut have recovered completely.<\/p>\n
Strategic state assets could continue to be sold off to
\nforeign companies; delinquent conglomerate bosses and public
\nwealth \"looters\" would probably remain free from legal actions,
\nand corruption would likely continue at its current pace among
\npublic officials.<\/p>\n
In the past five years, corruption grew from the value of Rp
\n16 trillion in 1998 to as high as around Rp 315 trillion in 2003,
\nand that number will likely increase too if the same old status
\nquo people remain in power.<\/p>\n
V. SAMMY WONOK
\nJakarta<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/coalition-against-change-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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